These days nearly everyone recognizes that the foods they eat affect the appearance of their bodies. However, most people fail to realize that what they consume also has a considerable impact on how their brain functions. Your diet can affect your brain’s energy level, memory, and the efficiency with which it handles its tasks. So, what should you eat on the days leading up to the LSAT to make sure your brain is operating at peak levels?
The brain is an exceptionally active metabolic organ. This means that it must constantly consume energy to function. Still, the brain is a picky eater. Research has consistently shown that foods with the right neurochemicals can help you concentrate, tune sensorimotor skills, stay motivated, magnify memory, increase reaction times, defuse stress and, to a certain extent, even prevent mental aging.
A healthy brain is determined in part by how much fat you eat. However, the more important factor to consider is the kind of fat consumed. Maximum intellectual performance requires a specific type of fat known as omega-3 fatty acids, found most commonly in fish. Eat plenty of oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, herring, mackerel, and anchovies. This ensures that your diet is rich in omega-3 fats and that your brain is flush with this powerful nutrient.
Eating protein raises the levels of an amino acid called tyrosine. It prompts the brain to manufacture norepinephrine and dopamine, important chemical messengers in the brain. Norepinephrine and dopamine serve to keep you energized as they stimulate receptors in the brain-specific to alertness and activity. Poultry, seafood, soy, and lean meat are the richest sources of protein. Dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds contain high concentrations as well.
Glucose from carbohydrates provides the fuel your brain uses to produce energy. Be careful, however, when choosing your sources of carbohydrates! The key is to choose carbohydrates that the body breaks down gradually and provide a steady, long-term source of energy. These are known as complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates, in contrast, have an immediate impact on the body and cause a rapid burst of energy that will fade quickly. Whole grain foods like cereals, wheat bran, and whole wheat pasta are key sources of complex carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables are another excellent source of carbohydrates that can provide long-lasting energy.
Refined sugars are the most common simple carbohydrates. As mentioned previously, they only fuel the brain for a short period of time and ultimately result in a demanding drop of energy or “crash.” Avoid refined sugars whenever possible.
Vitamins and Minerals
It is a good idea to consider supplementing your diet with specific vitamins and minerals designed to promote proper body function. The ‘B’ complex vitamins are particularly important, as they play a vital role in producing energy. Vitamins A, C, and E are powerful antioxidants and promote and preserve memory. Good sources of these vitamins include blueberries and other berries, red grapes, tomatoes, broccoli, garlic, spinach, carrots, whole grains, and soy.
Minerals are also critical to mental functioning and performance. Magnesium and manganese are crucial for sustained brain energy. Sodium, potassium, and calcium are also important in the thinking process as they facilitate the transmission of neurochemical messages in the brain.
The final key component in maintaining a healthy and efficient brain is also the simplest and most readily available: water. Studies have shown that the majority of adults do not consume enough water daily and the consequences can be severe. Even mild dehydration decreases your mental energy significantly, impairing memory and cognitive function. In fact, as little as a 2% drop in body water can cause faulty short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on a computer screen or on a printed page for more than a few seconds at a time. To stay properly hydrated, try to drink at least three liters of water per day.
With all of this in mind, here are a few night-before-the test dinner, and before-the-test breakfast suggestions.
Dinner the Night Before
- Omega-3 fatty fish (or lean meat) with spinach or broccoli, and potatoes or a few pieces of whole grain bread.
- Drink plenty of water!
- Try to have your dinner at least two to three hours before you go to bed to ensure a good night’s sleep without an overly full stomach.
Breakfast the Morning Of
- Eggs, oatmeal, whole grain cereal, or a piece of wheat toast with peanut butter, and fresh fruit or juice.
- Beware of coffee or other caffeinated drinks before the test! They tend to have the same detrimental effects as sugar, with unpredictable boosts of energy/jitters followed by crashes and fatigue. If you’re a coffee-lover, it might be best to wean yourself off the week before the LSAT.
Avoid potential disaster by eating for your brain for at least a few days leading up to the test so you’re sure that you won’t have any unpleasant reactions to foods that you may not normally consume. Eat for your brain and you’ll feed your score!