What to Eat the Night Before a Final Exam

Studying for final exams can be stressful and keep you up nights. But don't comfort yourself with high-fat, high-sugar foods like pizza or candy the night before a test. Instead, choose foods that can help increase your brain circulation, enhance your memory and improve your concentration on the day of your test.

The night before your final exam, plan to enjoy a wholesome dinner that fills you up and strengthens your brain power. Avoid eating any more or less than usual; stick to your normal routine to avoid confusing your body or mind. For dinner, enjoy a meal consisting of whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats. Whole grains increase blood circulation to the brain and enhance your memory.

Vegetables also help boost your brain power and memory, so fill your plate with broccoli, spinach, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, red peppers, carrots or asparagus. Opt for fish the night before the big test. High in omega-3 fatty acids, fish can help boost energy levels, enhance your ability to learn and retain information, improve critical thinking skills and enhance your brain's level of functioning.

Instead of snacking on sugary sweets and high-fat desserts while studying, focus on fresh fruits in a variety of vibrant colors. Cantaloupe, plums, watermelon, pineapples, oranges, apples, peaches, grapes and kiwifruit can help enhance information recall, which is a vital element of test taking. Berries help improve overall learning capacity and brain power. The most beneficial berries include strawberries, blueberries, elderberries, blackberries and raspberries. You also can snack on nuts and seeds, both of which are high in brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. And if you start to feel a little stressed, take a moment to savor an ounce of milk or dark chocolate. Chocolate's natural stimulants can help you relax and enhance your mood while improving focus, concentration, memory, cognition and blood circulation to the brain.

On the day of your test, you'll want to feel healthy and comfortable. Any type of physical discomfort – bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn or constipation – can divert your attention away from the test. To be safe, avoid eating foods high in grease, sugar, fat, sodium or white carbohydrates the night before your final exam. Also, avoid any foods that regularly upset your stomach. To get a good night of sleep before your exam, avoid drinking caffeinated coffee, tea or soda.