So many of us are studying after work, on weekends and online. And it’s pretty common to feel tired and unfocused, so instead of procrastinating, it’s time to sharpen our minds with our nutrition.
When we are studying, we are looking to prevent brain fatigue, maintain blood sugar levels and even improve productivity with our energy. So when we are needing to keep our brains fuelled, it’s best to have some healthy snacks to turn to.
Here are our top 10 snacks for studying:
- Grapes
For a small energy hit, eat a handful of grapes. Not only are they delicious, but they have lots of antioxidants to keep your brain working at it’s best. They won’t weigh you down or make you feel lethargic, which is something you want to steer clear from when you are studying. - Berries for Your Brain
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are all great for your body and your brain. Like grapes, they also have loads of antioxidants and provide a sweet taste and a kick of energy. - Apple and Peanut Butter
Slice up an unpeeled apple and dip the pieces into a little almond or peanut butter. Make sure you grab the natural ones – real nut butters should only have one ingredient!! The apple will provide fibre and the nut butter will provide a hit of protein to keep your energy high. - Drink Smart to Think Smart
Put the coffee down. Honestly. Instead of continually re-filling that mug of coffee, choose a herbal tea. Instead of soft drinks, make a smoothie packed full of fruits and veggies. Working through meal time? Add a scoop of protein powder to turn your smoothie into a meal. It’s easy to avoid the sugar and energy crashes by simply choosing better. (Simple, yes, but not always easy.) - Veggies Are Always a Good Idea
Some chopped up veggies like celery, snow peas, carrots and cucumber are all great options to keep hunger at bay and give you plenty of sustainable energy. A lot of people get turned off by eating veggies as a snack, and it’s no secret, we are very visual creatures. So instead of throwing them all into a container, take the time to chop your veggies into bite sized pieces. Do you like whole carrot or carrot sticks? Do you like cucumber chunks or slices? Make sure your veggies are visually appealing and you won’t be tempted by the vending machine. - Go Nuts!
Nuts such as almonds, cashews and walnuts are great sources of healthy fats, protein and fibre. They help balance blood sugar and provide lots of nutrients such as magnesium and selenium too. Grab a handful and munch away. - Seeds
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are two of the most protein dense foods (yes, way more than any meat), and they take a long time to digest, so they are a great source of long lasting energy. You can have them alone, or make your own nut & seed mix at home. Avoid the store bought mixes as they usually contain dried fruit which gets packed with sugar – and you don’t want sugar messing with your energy when you are trying to focus. - Popcorn
For most of us, we tend to gravitate towards things we loved to have during our childhood like chips and chocolate. But now, we can still indulge our inner child, without sabotaging our studying, or health efforts with popcorn! Avoid the microwave packets which can be filled with nasties, and simply buy the kernels and pop your own at home. It’s super fun to do in a saucepan anyway! - Roasted Chickpeas
We la la love roasted chickies! You have endless options depending on which herbs and spices you use, and you can choose between chewy or crunchy, depending on cooking time. Our favourite is crunchy chickies with dried basil and smoked paprika. Mmm - Healthy Energy Bars
Avoid the processed bars at the shops, and make your own granola or protein bars at home. Not only will they keep you full, but you will only be consuming what you’ve put into them. No more rushes of energy and then big crashes.
Our favourites are these granola bars, and these protein bars. Yum!
Whether you are studying, working or even feeling lethargic at home, these are some of the best snacks you can have to feed your brain and increase your energy!
Let us know what your favourite go-to snack is below.