By Alejandra Gonzalez
Pulse Staff Reporter
Most of us tend to be so overwhelmed with classes that we hardly even eat, and for others, it’s the exact opposite, relying on sugary-fatty foods to keep their momentum going.
What we consume is not just directly related to how much we weigh, but it is also a huge factor on our brain and our bodies. Some of the easiest ways to stay focused in your classes and while studying are to eat foods that are beneficial to your brain and your immune system.
“Every morning, I make myself a bowl of oatmeal because it gives me just enough nutrition for my body to wake up, and [I] grab some fruit to snack on throughout the day to keep my sugar and energy pumping,” said Amanda Cortez, a sophomore Computer Science major at Palo Alto College.
Oats, yogurt and blueberries are popular choices for your first meal because they hold natural nutrients and vitamins that help your metabolism. Whole grains, the entire seed of a plant, are a common favorite that also produce B vitamins, which gives your body energy and keeps your brain working at a steady pace.
Blueberries improve your memory and help keep your brain and heart functioning properly. Dairy intake helps with strength and energy throughout the day. Drinking almond and soy milk keeps your energy high. Some other healthy drinks to enjoy throughout the day are citrus teas, turmeric teas and organic smoothies.
Carlos Delgado, a sophomore Kinesiology major at Palo Alto College, said, “I go to school and work full time, so most of the time I skip breakfast. I make sure I make myself a protein shake that’ll give me most of the nutrients I’ll need to get through the day, but (sometimes) it’s hard to go home and make a healthy, cooked meal when it is easier to pick up something fast and on the go.”
Throughout the day, you want to make sure you are taking the amount of protein your body needs. For lunch and dinner, chicken and fish, like salmon, tuna and sardines, are a popular healthy choice. Vegetables, like asparagus, spinach and broccoli, are considered the best choice to improve your brain’s ability to take in new information and also to protect.
Matthew Cerda, a freshman Nursing major at Palo Alto College said, “I remember being so stressed in my classes that I would skip breakfast and lunch just to study and finish homework. I wouldn’t have an exact time when I ate. I would just eat when I felt hungry, which was most of the time. I started to notice that I was starting to weigh more than usual. I visited my doctor, and he told me that it is important that I have an appropriate eating schedule because it can cause unhealthy dietary issues in the future.”
It is important that you are eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s not only to keep your diet in check, but it helps your brain function properly.
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