The last thing that you'd want to deal with in the middle of exam stress is distractions caused by health problems. While revising chapter by chapter, it is easy to get off track and munch on crunchy fast foods just for the sake of keeping focus and saving time on heavy eating.
As junk foods give a quick solution to curb distracting cravings while giving them a satisfying feeling, students always tend to reach out to these foods. On the plus side, it is also readily available and comes in handy when there's no time to prepare snacks at home.
But little do you know, these short-term pleasures can lead to long-term adversities. Foods that are high in fats, and sodium and low in nutritional content are just empty calories that trick the mind into the feeling of pleasure and can lead to lethargy and stomach problems. As a consequence, this leads to hindered performance, diminished focus, and alertness and may become an unhealthy addiction.
Top Seven Foods To Avoid When You Are Preparing For Exams
1) Processed Foods
Processed foods like packaged chips, crackers, biscuits, cakes, and certain cereals contain high amounts of salt and sugar. Plus it also contains ingredients like palm oil, and refined flour along with emulsifiers, artificial flavouring and preservatives. This can cause health problems and can diminish energy from the body. It is advised to choose healthier alternatives for snacking.
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2) Sugary Treats
Sugar is also referred to as “white poison” by health experts. The sugary sweet taste that it adds to desserts and treats is a slow poison for the body and can cause weight gain, heart diseases, mental problems like depression and anxiety, and metabolic disorders as well. Prefer sugar substitutes like honey and always eat homemade desserts.
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3) Caffeinated Drinks
Caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea are the best thing for alerting the mind and preventing it from dozing off. While everyone is drawn to caffeine for a quick refreshing feeling, it has numerous drawbacks for students. Caffeine can trigger anxiety, nervousness, and restlessness which can lead to disrupted sleep, increased heart rate, and also digestive issues.
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4) Gluten-Free Foods
Gluten-free foods are the most sought-after treats as a weight loss remedy and reduce inflammation. But on the dark side, gluten-free foods are extremely bad for students as they will not help in giving energy to the body. Gluten contains crucial nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants along with fibre which is helpful in digestion.
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5) Spicy Foods
Foods that are high in spice are considered a red flag for people of young age. As tempting as it taste, spicy foods can often lead to irritation, stomach discomfort, heartburn, and acidity. These problems can pose a distraction during study sessions so it is best to avoid or eat in moderation. Opt for less spicy meals.
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6) Heavy Meals
Eating heavy meals all at once requires a lot of time and energy to digest. When the body runs out of energy during digestion, there is not enough left to supplement other parts of the body. That is why heavy foods cause sleepiness, laziness, lethargy, and numbness. To keep concentration elevated, it is advised to eat small portions of foods from time to time and only go for healthy meals.
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7) Fried Foods
Fried foods are filled with heavy fats and empty calories. The crunch and flavour might give a satisfying feeling to the tastebuds at first, but in the long run, it can cause stomach distress, slowed digestion, bloating, and suppressed energy. Always go for nutrient-rich snacks that are not fried and consider making them at home rather than choosing processed ones.
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It is better to be safe than sorry. By avoiding these seven foods, you can make sure to be at your optimum health at all times and focus on studies rather than health problems.