Whether you’re the class Einstein or a more laid-back student, we all need something to help our brains function at their optimum level, especially at exam time.
So, ta-da! 🪄 Introducing 14 of the best and healthiest study snacks to help you stay focused and improve your memory during study sessions. (Yes, they exist!) ✨
1. Avocado: Give Your Brain a Boost
Avocados may just be your best friend during study time. This fruit is an excellent source of lutein, a carotenoid that accumulates in your brain and can positively influence brain function. So if you’re memorizing mind-boggling formulas and concepts, this will become your go-to study food.
To make your healthy snack even more delicious and filling, why not pop some whole grain bread in the toaster, spread your avocado on top, and add some olive oil, salt, and pepper. It won’t be long till you smell one of the best study snacks for students!
2. Almonds: Summon Extra Energy
When you’ve got homework stacking up, almonds are your knight in shining armor! A study has found that eating nuts on a regular basis strengthens brainwave frequencies associated with cognition, learning, memory, and other key brain functions.
Just a handful of almonds can provide you with protein and healthy fats for extra energy when your brain and body are running low.
3. Chocolate: Rejuvenate Your Memory
Chocolate may be your number one option when you crave something sweet. But did you know that this popular snack is also great for your mind? According to studies, eating dark chocolate can significantly reduce stress levels while rejuvenating your memory and immune system.
Chocolate contains flavonoids, compounds proven to help increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn improves your memory, reaction time, and problem-solving skills. Sounds like the perfect choice to tackle that tricky math homework!
4. Fruit Salad: Give Your Brain the Nutrients It Needs
If you get tired when studying, maybe you lack vitamin C. That’s where fruit salad can save the day!
Combining apples, strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, grapes, and other fruits to make a sweet, light snack provides you with plenty of vitamin C, which is a great contributor to mental function. In fact, high vitamin C intake is scientifically proven to have a protective effect on thinking and memory.
5. Oatmeal: Fiber and Vitamins to Fuel Your Brain
Yes, you heard it right! Oatmeal is not just a hearty breakfast, but also a healthy and beneficial snack — especially if you’re preparing for long review sessions.
These whole grains contain fiber and vitamins that help improve blood flow throughout your brain, giving your memory a boost. It’s also a great source of vitamins E, B complex, and zinc to help you perform at your best.
The best news? Oatmeal is super affordable and easy to find. That’s perfect for a student budget!
6. Eggs: Maximize Your Brain’s Nutrient Intake
Short on cash? Worry no more! With eggs, you can supercharge your thinking without breaking the bank! They’re cheap and super helpful if you’re overwhelmed with statistics and a blizzard of concepts to remember.
Egg yolks are packed full of choline, an essential nutrient that helps regulate memory — and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Plus, if you’re feeling the pressure, eggs are high in tryptophan, an amino acid building block of serotonin (also known as the “happiness hormone”) that can help put a smile back on your face.
7. Popcorn: Power Up Your Brain Cells
If you think popcorn is only good for watching movies, you’re wrong! This nutritious snack can also power up your brain cells, especially when you’re going back over your notes.
Just like oatmeal, popcorn is rich in fiber and vitamins that help improve blood flow to the brain for better memory function. The hulls (the part that people for getting caught between your teeth) actually have the highest concentration of polyphenols, an antioxidant that protects neurons against injury and promotes memory, learning, and cognitive function.
In addition to the wonderful benefits of popcorn to your brain and body, this snack is very cheap and easy to prepare. Do you like it spicy? Sweet? Salty? Plain? You can incorporate almost all of your favorite flavors to satisfy your tastebuds. 😋
8. Chickpeas: Improve Your Memory and Mood
Looking for an alternative to chips? We have something for you!
Chickpeas are incredibly healthy. They’re packed with magnesium, fiber, and protein to help speed up message transmission in your brain and relax your blood vessels. In fact, one cup of chickpeas contains 69.7 milligrams of choline, a nutrient that helps improve your mood, muscle control, learning, and memory.
When it comes to the taste, this snack will not disappoint. Its nutty taste and grainy texture are perfect with many other foods and ingredients. Try roasting a batch in the oven with salt and chili powder, or pairing a handful with garlic and parmesan or honey and cinnamon. Alternatively, blend them into hummus!
9. Cheese: Keep Your Brain Sharp
A few slices of cheese is all it takes to power you through a study sesh and satisfy your cravings.
Researchers have found that cheese helps keep your brain sharp, necessary when you’re dealing with tons of mathematical formulas or scientific data. Cheeses like mozzarella and blue have plenty of protein and calcium, which are both involved in enhancing memory and keeping your brain focused.
Pair this simple snack with bread or veggies, and ta-da! Your delicious and extra-healthy study food is ready.
10. Yogurt: Give Your Brain the Energy It Needs
Did you know that yogurt has a positive impact on your brain? This dairy product contains probiotics, which a study showed has a positive effect, not just on your metabolism but also on brain function.
Yogurt is also rich in protein, which prompts the brain to manufacture norepinephrine and dopamine — chemical messengers in the brain. Consuming a small bowl of this delicious snack can energize your intellectual function for peak performance at study and exam time. Pair it with some fresh fruit for an added fiber boost!
11. Peanut Butter: Vitamin E to Make Your Brain Happy
If you think peanut butter is just an ordinary food that’s only good for kids, think again! This snack has a decidedly positive impact on your mental processes.
Peanut butter is packed with vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect nerve membranes. It also contains thiamin, a vitamin that is good for the brain, and glucose, which can give you extra energy for your homework.
Peanut butter is perfect to combine with other great study snacks! It’s a great dip for fruits such as bananas, and for veggies like celery. You can also try it on rice cakes for a savory pick-me-up.
12. Dried Fruit: Nutrients On the Go
Dried fruits such as raisins, dates, prunes, figs, and apricots are rich in fiber, potassium, and copper, which allow brain cells to communicate. They’re also a rich source of boron, an element that helps people perform better on attention and memory tests.
With the advantages dried fruits bring to your brain, it’s undeniably one of the best snacks when you study.
13. Smoothie: Liquid Brain Food
When your brain has turned to mush and you can’t even think about what food to snack on, smoothies are the answer! They’re an extremely balanced and tasty study snack. Load them up with fruits or vegetables for more than enough nutrients to improve your learning and memory.
Need an extra nutrient boost? Try adding flax or chia seeds to your smoothie. These seeds contain beneficial lignans, fiber, and omega-3 perfect for cognitive function. You can also add fresh berries or mangoes to give your brain the vitamins it needs.
14. Pumpkin Seeds: For Better Mental Function
Want a study snack that’s easier to find and prepare? Pumpkin seeds are the answer!
This snack has powerful antioxidants excellent for your body and brain. They’re also a great source of magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper — elements essential for learning and memory.
So, now that you know the healthy foods that can help your brain function at its best, it’s time to go to the supermarket and buy what’s within your budget. Ready your notes, eat some optimal study snacks, and hurrah! — you’re surely off to a great study time. Good luck! 🫐 🍓 🍇