Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

Get Your Nutritional Quick Fix: How to Eat Your Way Out of Everyday School Problems!

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Vanderbilt chapter.

Whether you’re tired during the school day or have trouble concentrating while studying, we’ve got the solution for you… And chances are its yummy!
 
Problem: I’m tired and can’t stay awake in my 8:30 A.M. class!

Solution: How about some dark chocolate? Studies show that the flavanols in dark chocolate increase blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours, helping to fight fatigue.
 

Problem: I’mstressed about balancing my social life and my schoolwork!
 
Solution: Pop a handful of blueberries in your mouth and you’re ready to go! Since they’re high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, you can eat as many as you want and still feel guilt-free!

 
Problem: My long-term memory is terrible! I always forget material that is more than a week old!
 
Solution: Pack a tuna sandwich! Studies have shown that B6 is directly linked to memory, cognition and long term brain health.

 
Problem: I’m always hungry before lunchtime! What can I eat to keep me full?
 
Solution: Try blending an apple into your breakfast smoothie. Apples are a low-calorie, nutrient-filled source of fiber, so eating them with a meal can help you feel full longer.
 

Problem: I’m always so nervous the night before a test that I can’t sleep!
 
Solution: Popcorn to the rescue! Tryptophan, the same amino acid found in turkey, is also in popcorn. Because it creates the sleep-inducing serotonin in our brains, it can be helpful in falling asleep.

 
Problem: I just bombed a test and am in the worst mood ever!
 
Solution: Cheer up by having some walnuts! Walnuts contain omega-3, which appear to affect neurotransmitter pathways in the brain and reduce depression.

 
Problem: I just got assigned the worst group for a project! I’m so mad!
 
Solution: Lower your blood pressure by chewing on some celery! Celery contains phytochemicals, which relax the muscle tissue in the artery walls, enabling increased blood flow and therefore, lower blood pressure.

Jessica Pawlarczyk is a junior at Vanderbilt University where she is majoring in Sociology and Spanish. Besides Her Campus, Jessica is involved in newspaper, APO service fraternity, math tutoring and youth mentoring. She enjoys playing tennis, reading Jodi Picoult novels and finding new "pins" for her Pinterest page in her spare time. Jessica is incredibly excited to be a part of the Her Campus team!