Foods That Help You Stay Focussed

Staying focused and awake in class was one of the greatest struggles of my academic career. No matter how hard I tried, my afternoon classes became a blur. Now that I am a bit older, it is a little easier for me to stay awake and focused during work hours.

A major contribution to this was the change in my diet and eating patterns. Food is our fuel but sometimes we eat in ways that would only cause us to feel lazy and lose concentration at crucial times.

If she ate that apple she would feel a lot better.

Here's an eating plan that could curb that sleepy feeling you may get at school or work:

1. Eat smaller portions more frequently. The way I ate made me want to sleep right after lunch. Eating large portions and infrequently puts your body into spikes of energy which are followed by crashes. Big portions of food require more energy to digest so this is a major reason why eating a large meal before a class is not a great idea if you want to stay alert.

2. Eat breakfast. Even if it upsets your stomach or you think you don’t have time, ensure you get a proper meal earlier rather than later as it provides fuel and nutrients to energise you the remainder of the day.

3. Eat fruit. Fruits are a great source of natural sugars and nutrients that provide energy for your body, and minerals and vitamins to power thought and concentration. Avoiding a heavy meal and eating fruit on an empty stomach is a quick way to get a boost before class because they require less energy to digest.

4. Whole wheat products take longer to break down and thus give you a balanced energy level through the day. Therefore, it is advised that you eat bread or other flour products in their whole wheat formats.

5. Stay hydrated. This is very important. While your body loses water as sweat, due to heat and exercise, you will need to replenish it to avoid becoming dehydrated and tired.

6. Herbal teas. Chamomile, peppermint and ginseng act as relaxing and soothing agents and help relieve stress, leaving you revived and refreshed.

7. Vitamins and supplements. With today’s dietary patterns and hectic schedules we often don’t get the nutrients we need, therefore a supplement is a great way to help you function adequately and have enough energy. Those with ginseng, vitamin B complex and vitamin C are great for energy and keeping alert.