University students are under some of the highest levels of stress, juggling multiple classes at once, various assignments, and sometimes even a part-time job on the side. For students currently working their way through the online bachelor of science in health information management (HIM) at a top school like the University of Cincinnati, you at least have the opportunity to be studying from home, but for most, that doesn’t make the workload any less intense or stressful.

What’s interesting is that as you study for a career in health, often you put your own health on the backburner in order to really throw yourself into your studies. Becoming burnt out, lacking focus, and just having a hard time making it through your assignments is commonplace. So, why not use food as your study boost? Here we’ll take a look at some of the top foods that are known to kick your brain and level of focus into high gear.

Choose Healthy Brain Foods for Snacks

Students are notorious for snacking throughout the day. Often there isn’t a lot of time to prepare a big meal, so instead, they rely on little snacks all day long. If that sounds like you then it’s time to start picking healthy brain food for your snacks. Blueberries are known to help protect your brain from oxidative stress, which can help improve your motor skills and learning capacity.

They are equally as effective in any form – frozen, fresh, or freeze-dried – and it is recommended you have one cup per day.

Another great option for a snack is seeds and nuts. These contain vitamin E, which helps to maintain your cognitive function. Choose from such options as sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, flax seed, and more. It is recommended you have one ounce of seeds and nuts per day.

Dive Into That Fresh Green Salad

We know salads are a healthy low-calorie option, but did you know that leafy greens are also great for your brain’s health? Greens such as spinach, watercress, rocket, and kale are absolutely packed full of vitamins B, K, and C, fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, and more. Not only that, but a salad is versatile in that you can add anything you want to the greens. Be sure to always have fresh greens on hand ready to be enjoyed.

Indulge in That Fish Dinner

Now, when we say it’s great to indulge in a fish dinner, no we aren’t talking about deep-fried fish. Instead, you want to bake, broil, or grill the fish to keep it as healthy as possible. Oily cold water fish is the best option when it comes to brain food, as they are very high in the omega 3 essential fats. This means fish such as herring, mackerel, and salmon.

Give Your Brain What it Needs

As you work your way through the University of Cincinnati online HIM degree program, or any degree program for that matter, these foods can help give your brain the sustenance it needs to truly function at its peak level, allowing you to focus and absorb the information.