Good and bad foods for extended brain activity?

[Skott]

This weekend I’m going to be participating in a 36-hour puzzle event similar to the Microsoft Puzzle Hunt and the MIT Mystery Hunt and am wondering what are good foods for keeping up intensive brain activity over the course of the event. Also, what foods would be good to avoid? I remember something about heavy meals draining blood from the brain in order to digest food, so I’m thinking the McDonalds stop we made at the last event slowed us down a bit.

Whole grain cereals? Sandwiches? Pizza? Colas? Energy drinks? Veggies? What menu should I plan?

[ultrafilter]

More than anything, you need to eat to keep your blood sugar stable. Stay away from simple sugars and meals that are high in fat and carbohydrates. Get plenty of protein, and eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible (for micronutrient support as well as energy). Consider taking fish oil supplements for whatever benefits they might provide, although it’s probably a bit late for them to make any significant difference. Take a look at this article on stimulants and other supplements for poker players to see if there’s anything promising that you can get in time.

[AskNott]

Angry Customer: Last week, you told me that fish heads were terrific brain food. So I bought some. Then I figured out you’re charging me more for fish heads than for the whole fish!

Fishmonger: There, you see? You’re getting smarter already!

[Napier]

I’m pretty sure you want to keep blood sugar levels high and minimize the work your digestive system is doing. So I think that means glazed donuts. I think you don’t want protein and fiber, you don’t want a balanced diet, you want starches. You could also be eating sugars, but you’d have to keep that up more steadily to maintain blood sugar, so breads and pastas and cereals would be your easiest win.

[panache45]

@Napier

I’m pretty sure you want to keep blood sugar levels high and minimize the work your digestive system is doing. So I think that means glazed donuts. I think you don’t want protein and fiber, you don’t want a balanced diet, you want starches. You could also be eating sugars, but you’d have to keep that up more steadily to maintain blood sugar, so breads and pastas and cereals would be your easiest win.

If you choose to follow this advice, you’d better be damn sure you’re not diabetic.

[Skott]

@Napier

I’m pretty sure you want to keep blood sugar levels high and minimize the work your digestive system is doing. So I think that means glazed donuts. I think you don’t want protein and fiber, you don’t want a balanced diet, you want starches. You could also be eating sugars, but you’d have to keep that up more steadily to maintain blood sugar, so breads and pastas and cereals would be your easiest win.

Those types of simple sugars leave your system pretty quickly, more of a spike than a constant level. Not something I’d want to try and keep up for 36 hours.

[cher3]

@Napier

I’m pretty sure you want to keep blood sugar levels high and minimize the work your digestive system is doing. So I think that means glazed donuts. I think you don’t want protein and fiber, you don’t want a balanced diet, you want starches. You could also be eating sugars, but you’d have to keep that up more steadily to maintain blood sugar, so breads and pastas and cereals would be your easiest win.

I think this is recommended for physical endurance events, not mental ones.

[buttonjockey308]

Glazed Donuts? For 36 hours? Oh. My. God.

Dude, (I assume):

1. Vitamins C and B12, and Fish Oil.

2. Whey protein in the form of a shake or pre-mixed drink like this stuff.

3. Nuts (lower in fat like almonds are best)

4. Beef or Chicken jerky.

5. Fruits lower in sugars like berries of most kinds, peaches, plums, apricots and so forth.

6. Water

7. Water

8. Water

9. Water

10. Your favorite caffeinated beverage, and then, some water.
    You want portable, easy to eat, (this equals small, to keep the hand-eye thing going, and helps keep you awake) and even in both protein and complex carbs.