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Posted April 8, 2013

Eat Your Way to a First Class Masters Degree

Most people who are striving for a first class degree will do as much as they can to improve their chances of performing to the best of their ability, but one thing that is often overlooked is the great benefits of eating a healthy diet. Food is fuel for our bodies, so getting it right can give you an extra boost in brain power!

Good Oil You might not be aware of the difference between your sunflower oil and canola oil, but trust us, there’s good oil and there’s bad oil. Pass on the corn, sunflower, and vegetable oil, and replace these oils with one of the following; canola oil, walnut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or avocado oil. Why? These oils are full of omega 6 and omega 3 which the body uses to great effect in maintaining health and increasing brain functioning. That means that when it comes time to knuckle down and write your thesis, your brain will be working at the top of its game, providing you with better focus and mental clarity.

Bananas The more fruit you eat the better, but if you are going to concentrate on just one fruit that will help with your university studies, make it the banana. Apart from the fact that they are so delicious, bananas are packed full of potassium, magnesium, iron and other minerals that help to make your brain more alert, and keep you feeling calmer and happier. University life can be stressful at the best of times, especially when deadlines start to loom. Bananas are a great natural way to de-stress and beat those study blues. A bunch a day should do the trick!

Nuts and Seeds We’re "nut" talking about a packet of dry roasted peanuts covered in salt here (sorry that had to be done!), but natural, unsalted nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, and seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower and flax. These tasty little treats help with memory, mood, sleep, and even aging! They are a great source of omega 3 and 6, as well as vitamins B and E, which all improve brain function. If you've found yourself struggling to get a good night's sleep due to study worries, a handful of nuts a day should help to ease the pressure and set you up for much more productive work .

Colourful Vegetables You may not think that the colour of the vegetables would make any difference to the properties, but generally speaking, the deeper the colour, the more antioxidants it contains. Antioxidants are great for clearing your head and helping you to focus (as well as tonnes of other benefits), so by filling your fridge with plenty of broccoli, peppers, and kale etc, you will be giving your mental agility a boost. Optimum mental agility is everything when it comes to postgraduate study. You're in the big league now and there isn't much room for failure. So pull up your socks, get yourself down to the local produce market, and stock up on the deepest, most colourful veggies you can get your hands on. By incorporating more of these vegetables into your daily diet, it won't be long before you reap the benefits. When you're operating at your peak your studies will thank you for it!

Blueberries I know we said bananas were the best fruits for brain functioning, but you cannot underestimate the power of the blueberry. With an abundance of anthocayanin and other useful phytochemicals, these tasty little berries can aid in information retention. With that in mind, blueberries can be a postgraduates best friend! Whether you're cramming for exams, preparing to give a presentation, applying for a job position, or simply want to impress your peers or professors, blueberries will ensure you get your message across effectively and efficiently.

Oats Oats are a fantastic brain food thanks to their ability to calm you down, help you to concentrate, battle fatigue, and release energy over a long period of time. You can cook them as porridge or have them raw with muesli.  Many people eat them for breakfast every day, and this provides a perfect start for the brain and body. If you're making the most of your postgraduate degree, then you'll likely to feel the stresses and strains that come hand in hand with hard work. Oats to the rescue! Finding ways to keep your energy levels at a high, especially when under study pressure, can be tough, which is why you should incorporate oats into your daily routine. Apart from all the benefits, unlike many health foods oats are also ridiculously cheap, so there is no excuse not to add them to your weekly shopping list (not even for postgraduates)!

 

10 comments

Samuel March 2, 2017, 3:01 a.m.

Very inciteful

Emmanuel Olulaja June 22, 2017, 11:59 p.m.

Useful info. Thanks.

Charlotte King June 26, 2017, 5:05 p.m.

So what brain food did you opt for Emmanuel?

Falmata Shehu July 12, 2017, 5 p.m.

Awesome.. Dates are really good too

Charlotte King July 13, 2017, 3:27 p.m.

Yes Falmata dates are a healthy source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber – although be warned that they are also rather high in sugar!

Verone Frater Oct. 12, 2017, 8:28 p.m.

Totally agree.

wabitoh Alie Koroma Jan. 26, 2018, 3:08 a.m.

thank you for such a wonderful info. i am a MD student, and i usually eat bananas alot, so i will continue and also make good use of the following advice

Charlotte King Jan. 31, 2018, 9:16 a.m.

Yes a banana a day is a great way to keep stress at bay! Good luck with your course.

Erenfried Siririka April 27, 2019, 6:36 p.m.

Oatmeal you don't feel hungry through out the day.

Arijit Ray June 19, 2021, 9:02 a.m.

great info. thanks.

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