Diet for concentration/ mental sharpness

jackthelad321

Ok
this is a short-term plan. have a test sat morning, It's now tuesday. I have given up alcohol since last dec. I don't smoke and eat pretty healthy.

I still get tired, have problems sleeping or being alert and I attribute it to my diet. I tend to eat big meals and drink a heap of tea.

Quick questions: (1) on the morning of the aptitude test, what should i consume/avoid to ensure peak mental alertness? What is a good approach?

(2) What shoiuld i do/ avoid for next 3-4 days. I want to be in best shape for Sat. morning and have begun today (eating raw carrot, fruit, had porridge for breakfast) and have eaten smaller portions, more regularly.

Any help is great.

Khannie

Day of the exam, get the carbs and caffeine in. Just make sure you have a constant supply of carbs, or eat some slow release ones.

I don't think there's much you can do in the next 3-4 days really.

Good luck.

jackthelad321

Khannie wrote: »

Day of the exam, get the carbs and caffeine in. Just make sure you have a constant supply of carbs, or eat some slow release ones.

I don't think there's much you can do in the next 3-4 days really.

Good luck.

I might be slightly dense, but could you elaborate on carbs, slow release ones, constant (like snacking on carbs?) and is caffine a good idea? I do drink a lot of tea

My plan was to have porridge, with a cup of tea (maybe rooibos caffine free?) and have a fruit salad, as they gave me loads of energy in asia.

maybe before the test have a cup of tea/ coffee with some dark chocolate

What do ya reckon?

Want to avoid being sluggish. I have been eating well so i just want to fine tune my health for next few days.

Adelie

jackthelad321 wrote: »

I might be slightly dense, but could you elaborate on carbs, slow release ones, constant (like snacking on carbs?) and is caffine a good idea? I do drink a lot of tea

My plan was to have porridge, with a cup of tea (maybe rooibos caffine free?) and have a fruit salad, as they gave me loads of energy in asia.

maybe before the test have a cup of tea/ coffee with some dark chocolate

What do ya reckon?

Want to avoid being sluggish. I have been eating well so i just want to fine tune my health for next few days.

You probably shouldn't make any big changes on the day as it will really be an experiment whether it works or not. Stick with what you know works well for you. if you suddenly change your caffeine intake or carb intake then it might actually make you jittery or tired.

if I were you I'd try the porridge + tea + fruit salad on a morning before the day of the test and see if you feel good all morning. Also if the test is long, something like an oat bar before the test might be better than the dark chocolate. And if you're allowed to bring chocolate into the exam then do have some, even if you end up not needing it.

jackthelad321

That's a good idea, and so simple. Yea might try it tomorrow morning, although i do have porridge every moring, not combined with fruit.

I am doing prep for test, but as it is an aptitude test the best perp is to feel great and healthy on the day as it's all about speed, concentration and even mental endurance.

I will try your tip for a prerun and see how i feel.

(1)I have heard good things about snacking on nuts, what do you/anyone reckon on this front?

(2) another thing is the caffine issue... does it help or hinder mental performance?

Khannie

If you're used to having a lot of caffeine, it is my experience that your brain goes to mush if you don't take any.

I don't think it'll help or hinder much either way, just don't vary your intake wildly on the day of the exam.