By Emily McIntyre
Carbohydrates will make you think clearly. Hard candy aids short-term memory. Turkey makes you sleepy.
These are just some of the myths that circulate among students who are preparing for tests.
'Before a test, I like pastrami on rye with provolone and brown mustard,' said Bob Hudson, 22, a freshman from Princeton, Ky., majoring in English. 'Protein helps me feel full and facilitates my thought process.'
While pastrami on rye before a test might help one BYU student do well, Alison Lemon, BYU Nutrition Science Faculty, said that in the short term, there really isn''t any particular food that students should eat to think.
'Food is the fuel of your body, it is important to make sure you are eating right long-term, this includes eating regularly in the morning, afternoon, and evening,' she said.
Even so, students say food before a test is an important component to their performance on the test.
'I like to eat foods with carbohydrates before tests because they help me to concentrate,' said Kelcy Moon, 19, a sophomore from Alpine, Utah majoring in elementary education. 'Foods with protein do not do the same thing for me.'
However, Lemon said energy is measured in calories and that protein and carbohydrates have the same energy value.
Some students say it does not matter what they eat, as long as they are not hungry.
'I don''t like to go into the testing center on an empty stomach,' said Justin Hilmo, 22, a sophomore from Orem majoring in Marriage, Family, and Human development.
While there are not miracle foods, eating breakfast can really help.
'Studies have shown that eating breakfast can really help students to think clearly throughout the day,' Lemon said.
Students say that being tired, combined with being hungry, is a bad combination when they have to take a test.
And Lemon said that there is a connection between sleepiness and food.
'During the times when you haven''t had anything to eat, you may feel more tired because you are fasting,' Lemon said. 'This can affect your ability to think and perform. However, being well fed does not make up for a lack of sleep.'
Lemon said that while it is important to eat regular meals, they do not have to take hours to prepare. It is important that a meal consists of something more than chips and soda.
'Quick foods that are also nutritious include bagels, string cheese, yogurt, and fresh fruit,' Lemon said. 'These foods are also not too expensive.'