Energy Bars

[isisalaska]

I heard is a good idea to have some power bars with you during the test, actually I am planning to start consuming them now, while I study for the test. Which ones are the best?

[beatthegmat]

I strongly believe that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the perfect standardized test food.

Eat a big PB&J before your test, and it will keep you going strong for the 3 hours--it worked for me!

[aim-wsc]

hey people, you are scaring me.

I clicked on the thread thinking that power bars is something related to excel sheets ..

but when i read these two posts...
OMG i never thought of this stuff

[career_switcher]

I strongly believe that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the perfect standardized test food.

Eat a big PB&J before your test, and it will keep you going strong for the 3 hours--it worked for me!

Just personal taste? or is there research based reasoning for your high regard for PB&J?

[beatthegmat]

Haha, no my recommendation for PB&J does not come from any rigorous research. It's just a snack that really worked for me.

[wunderkind]

A word of warning on the power/protein bars....the energy bars with high protein can trigger serious stomach distress! Gas, an urgent need to go to the bathroom, or both. It seems to build up over time with some bars, but many can cause rather embarassing (and odiferous!) gas right away. I had a co-worker who used to eat them for breakfast, and whew!! LOL.

So try those out for at least a week to see how they affect you. But most definitely do NOT eat more than one a day.

I didn't do the PB&J trick, but a breakfast or lunch (whichever meal you're eating right before your test) that's focused more on protein than carbs will give you great mental stamina. Tuna works the best for me for lunch, and eggs for breakfast. I wouldn't recommend bringing either of those to the test center, though, so a PB&J is a good idea!

I am hypoglycemic and have to keep my blood sugar levels even. My best snacks: an apple, nuts (almonds, peanuts or cashews), granola bar, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

Make sure that whatever you bring as a snack, that you've eaten it enough before that you don't find out the hard way that it gives you a headache (nuts can do that) or upset your stomach. My first test was a disaster because I loaded up on too much protein to try to sustain my energy (I'd been sick as a dog for a week with an ear infection and was loopy), and had an upset stomach throughout the test. Needless to say, I bombed!!

[greatman]

I suggest grapes instant energy being full of glucose and easily digestable.

[Stacey Koprince]

Protein, complex carbs, and a little fat. PB&J on whole grain bread is perfect, if you like it. Fat is great for making your brain hum. Be slightly on the hungry side rather than slightly on the full side - it will keep you awake. (But only slightly hungry - if your stomach is growling, that means you don't have enough energy!)

No sugary drinks or snacks - if it says high-fructose corn syrup, drop it! (That stuff won't last long enough - you'll "crash" before the test is over, even if you keep consuming during the breaks.) Sugar from a fresh-fruit-juice source is fine, but none of the fake stuff.

And no caffeine - it also won't last long enough and it's a diuretic. If you're not sure what that is, look it up...

[beatthegmat]

And no caffeine - it also won't last long enough and it's a diuretic. If you're not sure what that is, look it up...

Haha

[wildrebel]

I personally used Glucose Biscuits, 2 bars of chocolate and water.

Also, use your breaks effectively. Time your peeing. (Sounds so wrong, but it's hard to avoid)

I think glucose biscuits are the best... energy, easily digestible, light.. etc etc.

For my Indian friends, I'm talking about good ol' Parle-G. For the rest of the world, find an equivalent of Parle-G- it rocks!

PS: Sorry for my absence everyone! I was enjoying my holiday a little TOO much! I'm back now though

[aim-wsc]

wow i never thought such thread will be superhit.

till now i thought myself alien here :roll:
but thanks Nandan wildrebel I am into discussion now.
Parle G rocks really.

I am thinking of a bottle of water 500ml & a packet of 4 Rs. ParleG (4Rs = 0.085 $ )
Yeah thats right I am from India.

[maxuser77]

Hello, all

I didn't know we can carry something to eat with hands on test room.

If possible, I recommended dark chocolate.

In Korea, Dark Chocolate, 52% or 72% cacao is included in, is the most favorite and useful thing for exam taker or students.

Theoretically, polypenol is abundant in Cacao and it will help wake up and stimulate brain while you take long period exam like GMAT.

Actually, my girl friend get its effectiveness while her 8 hours' national provided exam.

I wish my comment will be useful to you.

Bye.

[isisalaska]

maxuser77
No, you cannot eat and take the exam at the same time, not even drinking. You can eat and drink in your breaks, so use them!

Well...since I neither like chocolat nor peanut butter I will go with grapes or sugar cookies or something like that, but I don't want to eat something that will make me very thirsty either.

This is funny, but the other day I scored the hightest when taking a test I had beef stew for lunch, yeah meat and potatoes. I know, too heavy for breaksfast perhaps, but it helped a great deal! maybe i should have a breakfast steak

[maxuser77]

isisalaska

I appreciate to your advice. I agree with you. Heavy breakfast is the best way to strengthen one's stamina while taking exam. But, too salty food should be avoided.

Not much, but important poll it was, I think.

[800GMAT]

How about RED BULL....is it good to have it during the breaks...Does someone know how it affects the energy level and test performance