5 Foods That Are Good for Studying

Walnuts, avocados, bananas and other healthy foods are beneficial for children when it comes to studying. It's important to plan your school-aged children's nutrition well to contribute to good performance.
5 Foods That Are Good for Studying

Last update: 05 December, 2018

Consuming foods that are good for studying is a great way to improve cognitive processes and concentration in children.

Academic work during childhood demands a great deal of energy. Children spend hours reading books, trying to understand and memorize. All of this, in addition to taking tests, can produce a great deal of stress.

Eating right isn’t so much about quantity, but rather, quality. The key is for children to eat light in order to avoid overstuffing their stomachs. Overeating forces the digestive system to work harder, meaning less energy is leftover for thinking. However, eating light boosts digestion. 

Blood flow will focus on the organs that represent the greatest amount of work. At the same time, the properties of certain foods favor intellectual performance more than others. During exam time, it’s clear that as much strength as possible should be directed towards one place: The brain.

Foods that are good for studying: Rich and nutritious

Below, we’ll provide a list of foods that are beneficial when it comes to studying. The list is based on nutrients that contribute to the activity of neurotransmitters. At the same time, they’re delicious enough to be popular among children, teens and adults alike.

1. Walnuts and other nuts

Is it just a coincidence that walnuts look like the human brain? Whatever the case, their high percentage of fatty acids, phosphorous and omega 3 makes for a perfect combination. Together, they stimulate brain function .

Therefore, eating walnuts and other nuts aids in memory. It also aids in the processes through which new knowledge is associated with previous knowledge – boosting critical thought.

Below are some interesting properties of walnuts:

  • Walnuts contain magnesium and fiber, which regulate blood sugar and blood flow.
  • They also possess antioxidants, which combat free radicals and keep the mind young.
  • Walnuts maximize cognitive functions, thanks to the high omega-3 content.
  • They also stimulate the production of serotonin, meaning they’re excellent natural energizers.
5 Foods That Are Good for Studying

2. Banana

Another delicious and complete food that boosts studying is banana. The human brain consumes 20% of the energy that the body produces, and it’s important to regain that energy .

Bananas provide large amounts of vitamin B and C. But, more importantly, they offer potassium and tyrosine. These components stimulate, among other things, the production of neurotransmitters that are essential to cognitive processes. These include serotonin and dopamine.

Eating a banana every 2 or 3 days allows the body to receive important benefits. Bananas also offer the following nutrients:

  • Tyrosine: Helps in the production of new neurotransmitters.
  • Potassium, vitamin B6 and folic acid: Strengthen brain functions.

3. Avocado

Avocados also contribute directly to studying thanks to their high omega 3 content, among other things. Omega 3 is a monounsaturated fat that boosts healthy neurological function.

Consuming avocado the night before an exam will allow us to  memorize, learn and reason at our best. What’s more, avocados are also rich in vitamin B and C, potassium and magnesium. Eating avocado with salt and lemon provides enough of each for anyone, activating the function of the nervous system.

“Overeating forces the digestive system to work harder, meaning less energy is leftover for thinking. However, eating light boosts digestion.”

4. Dark chocolate

Another source of natural energy that aids in studying and other intellectual tasks is chocolate. However, to avoid excess sugar, milk and fat content that makes digestion more difficult, it’s best to choose dark chocolate.

A small bar of dark chocolate before or while studying will make concentrating much easier. Just like walnuts and bananas, chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins. Besides aiding in neural development, endorphins also help to keep our minds alert.

At the same time, chocolate contains cacao, which is rich in antioxidants and caffeine. Therefore, it stimulates cognitive processes and cerebral activity.

5 Foods That Are Good for Studying

5. Apples

Among the foods that are best for studying, apples are one of the favorites. Unlike substances like coffee, this fruit helps the mind stay alert without the consumption of excess caffeine.

On the one hand, apples help to calm anxiety and thirst. On the other hand, it boosts active, healthy and youthful brain activity for more time.

In conclusion, when exam time is on the horizon, there’s nothing better than choosing the right foods that are good for studying. To maximize their benefits, be sure to accompany then with proper rest and exercise.

And lastly, avoid carbohydrates and fats, and drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is another important ally to studying.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.