You’re probably familiar with the saying ‘you are what you eat’, certain foods fuel our bodies and help us perform better than others. Ever notice that after indulging in a takeaway you feel tired and a bit slow? Whereas going for a healthier, lighter option can leave you feeling energised. It’s important to consider what to eat before your driving test so that you perform at your optimum.
Best foods to have before your driving test
- Stay hydrated
- Eat lots of fruit and veg
- Protein-rich foods
- Dark chocolate
One of the best and most simple ways to maximise your focus during your driving test is by staying hydrated. It’s no secret that dehydration causes tiredness, headaches, as well as reducing alertness and concentration. While it is important to make sure you are well hydrated for your driving test, remember you will be in the car for up to an hour, so make sure you don’t drink too much fluid!
Fruit is an excellent source of fibre which causes the energy in food to be released into the body at a slower rate. Apples, bananas, oranges and strawberries are all high in fibre. Vegetables also contain fibre and will help to avoid energy crashes. High fibre vegetables include brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale and carrots.
You may have heard some people saying that bananas are a driving test superfood and can help to calm driving test nerves. There is some science to support this claim. Bananas are high in vitamin B, which can help calm the nervous system. Bananas also contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, aka the ‘happy hormone’ which will help you to remain positive for your driving test. This high potassium fruit will help to rebalance this essential mineral in your body, helping to normalise your heartbeat and send extra oxygen to the brain.
Oil-rich fish and seafood are essential for brain health and concentration, which is especially important for your driving test. The main sources of fatty fish are salmon, trout and mackerel.
Dark chocolate can improve focus for many reasons. Dark chocolate contains a small quantity of caffeine which is proven to increase mental alertness. Dark chocolate also contains magnesium which has been shown to help de-stress as well as to stimulate the release of serotonin and endorphins, which are the feel-good hormones. We recommend you keep your chocolate intake to a minimum on the day of your driving test to avoid feeling sick.
What to avoid before your driving test
- Caffeine
- Refined sugar
- Carbohydrates
It’s best to avoid high caffeine drinks and food on the day of your driving test. Beverages such as coffee and Redbull contain a considerable amount of caffeine which can cause your energy levels to rise and then crash dramatically. Caffeine has also been shown to raise anxiety levels in certain individuals, which could result in you becoming more nervous before your driving test.
Foods and drinks high in refined sugar should also be avoided on the day of your driving test. Unnatural sugar can cause spikes in energy and crashes; having a sugar crash during your driving test will not help you focus.
While it may be tempting to have a heavy, carbohydrate-based breakfast or lunch before your driving test, we do not advise it. Carbohydrates provide a quick energy boost and can boost memory short term. However, they have been shown to slow down brain function.
Driving test preparation
Watching what you eat before your driving test is just one of the many ways you can ensure you are fully prepared for the big day. Many learner drivers use rescue remedy for their driving test and find it helps to keep them calm. You can also have a look at our helpful section on driving test preparation to see how else you can get yourself ready.
