Inside: Top testing treats for students that will improve their brain power.
I think that it is safe to say that testing season can be a stressful time for students, with long hours of studying and a need for some much-deserved breaks. For a while, I began really dreading the end of the school year for this reason. My grades would start to slip, my room would get messy…honestly, it was not fun.
My mom noticed this, and came up with a few ways to help me get through this road block. This looked like me prioritizing my sleep, breaking down my studying into smaller chunks, and my personal favorite: Getting serious about snacks!
It’s been proven that one way to help alleviate stress and boost morale is by providing tasty treats during study sessions or on the day of the test. So I have went ahead and listed my top testing treats for students that will help you boost your mood, and your test score! Check them out.
BEST Testing Treats for Students To Boost Scores
I am telling you, snacks are truly the key to your happiness during your test. I don’t care if it’s one multiple choice or a week of essay questions, I know that these foods below can get you through. If you are training for something a little more fun than testing(aka trivia), check out these trivia questions students need to know that these foods can help you remember!
Brain-Boosting Berries
Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients. These little powerhouses can enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase concentration levels. Serve a colorful assortment of berries as a refreshing snack option during study breaks to give students a natural brain boost.
Energy-Packed Trail Mix
Create a customized trail mix blend by combining nuts, dried fruits, seeds, and a touch of dark chocolate. Nuts like almonds and walnuts provide healthy fats and proteins, which help sustain energy levels and improve focus.
Dried fruits like cranberries or apricots add natural sweetness, while seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds provide additional nutrients. A sprinkle of dark chocolate chips adds a touch of indulgence and provides antioxidants. Portion the trail mix into individual servings, making it easy for students to grab and enjoy during study sessions.
Power-Packed Smoothies
Smoothies are a fantastic way to pack a variety of nutrients into a single refreshing drink, but I am sure I don’t have to tell you that. Smoothies have always taken the world by storm!
I like to include ingredients such as bananas, spinach, kale, Greek yogurt, and a hint of honey for natural sweetness(too much-processed sugar is never a good thing).
Bananas are rich in potassium, which aids in cognitive function, while leafy greens like spinach and kale provide essential vitamins and minerals. Greek yogurt adds protein, and a touch of honey sweetens the smoothie without causing a sugar crash. Blend these ingredients together and serve them in portable cups, allowing you to sip on the go!
I like explaining all of the benefits to you because I believe that it actually helps you to notice the difference in your body and mind, rather than just eating blindly.
Focus-Enhancing Dark Chocolate
Yep! Chocolate is one of my favorite studying treats. Specifically dark chocolate. It contains natural compounds that improve blood flow to the brain and increase cognitive function. It also contains antioxidants and a small amount of caffeine, which can help improve focus and mental alertness(we all love a good caffeine fix!
Offer small pieces of high-quality dark chocolate with a minimum cocoa content of 70% as an occasional treat to help you stay focused and energized during study sessions.
Refreshing Fruit-infused Water
Staying hydrated is essential for optimal brain function, so why not make hydration more enticing with fruit-infused water? Provide a variety of sliced fruits like lemon, lime, strawberries, or cucumber, along with a large dispenser of chilled water.
I encourage you to create your own flavor combinations by infusing the water with your favorite fruits. This simple but refreshing treat will help you stay hydrated and focused during long study hours.
More Testing Treats for Students That Improve Brain Function
I couldn’t leave the ideas below off of this list. I even went so far as to tell you my absolute favorite ways of having them that allow you to get the most benefit! Sorry, I am a nutrition geek…if you couldn’t tell.
Testing Treats for Students – Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium, which are essential for brain health and neurotransmitter function. I love to create an adorable(and Instagram-able) greek yogurt bowl that is complete with rows of peanut butter, berries, chia seeds, and maybe even a little bit of coconut if I am feeling crazy.
Testing Treats for Students – Turmeric
Okay, let me introduce you to my holy grail of study foods: Tumeric! Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may support brain health and improve cognitive function.
Now, this is not something that you can eat alone, but I like to add a little bit to my smoothies or foods. Always add a pinch of black pepper along with it, otherwise, your body will not be able to process the benefits!
I added turmeric to my summer bucket list ideas teens, I am challenging myself to see how many different ways I can incorporate this into my diet!
Testing Treats for Students – Broccoli
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are rich in antioxidants and vitamin K, which are important for brain health and may help improve memory. I love fresh broccoli. I would say the best way to eat this during testing is dipped into a yummy protein ranch dip.
Testing Treats for Students – Green Tea
Green tea contains L-theanine and caffeine, which can promote relaxation and focus, supporting cognitive performance. So I really urge you to steep a large batch and keep it in your fridge, so you can have iced green tea whenever you want!
You could even go so far as to infuse this with fruit; that way, you get to gain the benefits of those as well. Plus it makes it taste wonderful!
Testing Treats for Students – Avocado
Avocado is a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats, which support healthy blood flow and contribute to better cognitive function. I think my favorite way to eat this is to add it to my protein ranch dip that I have with my broccoli!
I really hope that these snack ideas helped you feel a little more empowered about taking this test season by storm, one sip of fancy fruit water at a time. These have seriously helped me step out of that anxiety bubble that surrounds this time of year.
Now you know that incorporating delicious and nutritious treats during testing periods can make studying more enjoyable and help boost students’ focus and energy levels, how cool is that? By making sure you are eating the right kinds of snacks, you’ll not only satisfy your taste buds but also support your cognitive function and overall well-being.
Remember, moderation is key, and these treats should be enjoyed in combination with a balanced diet and regular exercise. I sort of got overzealous in the beginning and tried to make ALL my food fall into these snack categories.
This is totally not something you need to do, just try and incorporate a few! If you loved these, then you need to check out more of my teen snack ideas!
Mom to teens with lots of ideas and inspiration to share for travel, food, parties, school & fun!