Highlighters, sticky notes and Adderall are items students turn to when it’s time to study for classes. But there’s a healthier, more enjoyable way to study this semester – snacking.

Eating certain foods can help students in math and history classes by keeping them from daydreaming.

Students having trouble in math class should consume food rich in iron, such as lean beef or fortified cereal, at least three times a week. According to a study at the University of Rochester's Children’s Hospital, maintaining a healthy level of iron can improve a student’s performance on math tests.

Students on the meal plan can find lean beef in a variety of the foods offered in the dining halls, said Food Services dietitian Katherine Ingerson.

Students should choose beverages wisely during meal time because, according to the University Health Center Web site, www.uhs.uga.edu, drinking tea or coffee with meals can block 75 percent of the iron a person would have absorbed.

History classes often demand memorization of numerous dates and facts, which can become a struggle. Eating a handful of almonds before studying can make this task easier.

“Almonds are high in zinc, which can help the brain process information,” said Alice Bender, the nutrition educator at the Health Center. “Also, almonds’ combination of carbohydrates, protein and monounsaturated fat will make studying so much easier because it increases concentration.”

Although students aren’t allowed to take almonds out of the dining halls, purchasing them from a grocery store is inexpensive, and they are available in a many flavors.

Spacing out during class is a problem for some, and turning to Adderall may not be a great idea. On the surface, it seems the perfect solution for improving concentration, but its effects aren’t all beneficial.

“Students who take Adderall without a prescription are taking a huge risk,” said Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Health Educator Erin English from the University Health Center. “The non-medical user won’t be aware of Adderall’s potential for interactions with other substances, which can lead to brain damage, insomnia, depression or many other complications.”

For a healthier solution, try eating an apple or yogurt as a mid-morning snack.

“These items contain complex carbohydrates that will keep you alert right up to lunch,” Bender said. “The apple will give you a quick energy fix, while yogurt tends to keep your energy up for a while.”

Both of these items are fairly inexpensive and can be found in the University dining halls. Although yogurt can’t be taken, if a student is eating an apple while leaving the dining hall, cashiers and managers will usually let them take it, Ingerson said.

This semester, every student can make the Dean’s list, one almond at a time.