What Lunch to Eat During PE Exam?

As mentioned in several other posts on this blog, increasing blood flow to the brain improves test results. The average increase is 5 percent!

So, when planning a lunch, don't go for the full meal deal. Look for something light. You will need energy and "brain food". But, overdo it, and your system will divert blood to the stomach to digest what you have eaten.

Packing a lunch has an important advantage: More of your one hour lunch will be committed to relaxing.

If you decide to eat fast food, do a search of the area where your PE test site is situated. Find something you like. I located a Chik-fil-A near my testing site in Sacramento. I had MapQuest directions printed out, and drove straight there, got my lunch, and drove back to the testing site parking lot.

Don't Risk Lunch Hour Traffic
Return to the exam site immediately to avoid the end-of-lunch-hour traffic. Be sure you are on site and make it for the beginning of the afternoon depth exam. If you pack your own lunch, you can eat and then take a power nap. Set an alarm on a watch or phone. As an added bit of insurance, park near the lane other returning examinees will use walking back to the exam area. The noise of the other examinees will serve as a back-up to your alarm.

The chicken sandwich, fruit cup, bottled water, and (another) half cup of coffee had me feeling refreshed and ready for the second 4-hour exam. However, I realized recently that there are surely more beneficial foods to eat before an exam. As already mentioned, packing your own lunch provides some advantages.So, which foods are good to eat during PE exam day?

First, here is a to-avoid list of items that digest very slowly, and will hog your blood supply:

• French fries
• dairy products
• red meat
• ice cream
• high fat content foods
• deep-fried foods 

Here are foods that are easy to digest:

• chicken (roasted, baked, or boiled)
• fish
• sprouted grains
• apples 
• grains: rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat

These foods are good for the brain:

• blueberries
• grape juice
• fish
• walnuts
• vegetables
• whole grains
• avocado
• chocolate
• broccoli



Salad with chicken breast- a good option for exam day lunch







• olive oil 
• pumpkin seeds

So, using the above lists, here is an example lunch:

Roasted chicken breast salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Include avocado and broccoli in the salad.
A glass of 100% grape juice, without added sugar or anything artificial.
A portion of blueberries
A portion of mixed nuts
A half cup of coffee

 Increase or modify this suggestion according to your own size and metabolism. If you are a big person, or exercise regularly, you will probably need more. However, don't overdo it.

Suggested Reading:

Day Before PE Exam Checklist  A list of things you should prepare and double check the day before your NCEES PE exam.
PE Exam Tips Tips on how to prepare for the PE exam.
11 Intelligence Killing Foods to Avoid Some of these surprised me, and I used to own a health food store!