Eating/Snacks on D day

Question

Hello,

As I am sure most of you know proper calorie intake during the exam is crucial. I have been trying to come up with some nice combination of nutrients that would keep my energy levels high during those 255 minutes. I first thought about taking a box of multi-grain wheat thins to the test center but I just came across something else:  https://www.solo-gi.com/products_main.html  

To me this seems to be right on the money - low-glycemic index, slow release of sugars, minimizing what they call the "spike and crash".

What do you think?

Fig · Answer

I used to set up the best food for the real thing by testing every weekend with my regular GMAT exam

To me, the best thing during breaks was a combination of: > Apple compote https://www.911cheferic.com/images/recipe_images/apple_compote.jpg > Light coca cola (cafeine) https://www.ekupisi.com/jpg450/Coca%20Cola%20light%200.33l%20-2.jpg > water https://images.ciao.com/ifr/images/products/normal/555/Cristaline__2555.jpg It worked fine : I didnt feel the need of eating nor drinking in both V & Q sections...

zakk · Answer

in a previous life (and 40 pounds ago) I was a decent mid-distance triathlete. There is stuff called "Gu" that is a gel substance with short and long chain carbs, a bit of caffeine, and are quick to get into the blood. They are easy to eat and wash down with water in the span of 10 seconds.

I'm brining a pair of these and a litre of water with me to keep the blood sugar up.

StartupAddict · Answer

For me, 1 extra large coffee black + 2 cigarettes before the exam, and about 25mg caffine + ephedra at verbal. Plus chocolate half way for sugar :-)

mba2010 · Answer

I'm with zakk. As a mararthoner, I fueled for the GMAT exactly how I would for a marathon (they both take about the same amount of time).

Clif Shot Bloks or Gu. With a little bit of water during each break kept my brain going. Not too much water so that I need constant bio breaks and get distracted, though.

raptr · Answer

Jesus, I am a student, not a cage fighter:). 

I used to do caffeine+ephedra+aspirin before soccer games. It's a huge energy boost but it makes me very anxious. I must warn you though: you will be literary "burning" which necessitates a substantial water intake - this could make you take "bio breaks" often, which, imo, is not desireable. 


I am planning on taking 2 of those Solo bars (for the breaks between each section), a redbul (1/3 before each section) and 0.5ml water (just in case). 

This Gu pill looks interesting. I will research it, it might be a good idea.
One thing though: suplements that stimulate your body do not necessarily stimulate your brain.

mba2010 · Answer

Gu isn't a pill. It is a gel--basically various flavors with a snot-like texture (its as gross as it sounds but does the trick). Some have caffeine, others don't, but they're basically carbs so that athletes can quickly refuel during endurance events.

I prefer the cola flavor because there's a bit of sugar and a bit of caffeine but it burns long and doesn't make me hyper or crash.

raptr · Answer

So how many gels did you take and did you take them before the exam or one during each break?

mba2010 · Answer

Since my test was at 8am (and my long runs usually start at 8am), I woke up at 6am, had my coffee, water, and a Luna bar. Got to the test center around 7:45 and ate two Clif Bloks (cola, which has a few mg of caffeine). 

After the AWA, I had 2 Bloks, a few sips of water, bio break (just in case), and a few jumping jacks to get the blood flowing. I felt like an idiot doing jumping jacks in the bathroom, but it good the energy going and the nerves out.

Between the Quant & Verbal, I took a Clif Shot (same as Gu, just different brand) and some water. Went to the bathroom, did a few more jumping jacks to shake out the jitters.

Nice and light but I still get the calories & miniscule jolt of caffeine I need to prevent fatigue. You should definitely try this out before you go to the test center, though. I know that certain flavors cause GI distress with certain people. And unless you're used to taking Gu shots, it'll take a while to get used to. Sweet snot.

zakk · Answer

To echo mba2010, try this first. Like a race, go through your routine a few times. Cola flavor gu's give me big GI issues! I take the vanilla or the plain. 

My favorite is eGel in strawberry-vanilla flavor. 150 cals, electrolites, caffine.

raptr · Answer

OK, marathoners, you talked me into it :) I just ordered a Gu Vanilla Gel 24-pack. 

What I liked about Gu is that it is not voluminous so it won't take a lot of energy to digest and that it contains mostly complex carbs, which is what I was looking for. 

What i don't like about it is that you should re-charge every 45min (and GMAT sections are 75min), but I guess that is the case with complex carbs in general, plus the 45min period may assume physical activity (so if I am doing problems, as opposed to running, glucose levels could be fine for 75min, or at least for more than 45min?)

I am thinking of starting with a Solo bar and then taking 1 gel before Quant and one before Verbal.

I will do some exam simulations over the next 2-3 weeks and will let you know how they went.

Thanks for your responses. Definitely helpful.

zakk · Answer

i was taking two Gu's an hour for a half-ironman. I think 1 every 75 min will be plenty

good luck! let us know how it goes and a review of your first taste of Gu!

StartupAddict · Answer

Ugh, honestly, I don't think eating snacks during the exam is going to help your endurance too much. What matters the most is how you've conditioned yourself, and whether your brain is used to working at capacity for extended periods of time (your brain, after all, is a muscle)... 

If you want real endurance I find Ephedra is the best. Speed would wire you too much, caffeine wears off after about 45 minutes, etc...

raptr · Answer

Whatever works for you. I agree, snacks won't drastically increase my endurance but they will make at lease a little difference. I don't remember the last time I spent 4 hours without having at least a little snack so I know for a fact that I will be needing calories. Ephedra might be a solution, but I have never used it for anything non-soccer related. Plus, I live in NYC now and Ephedra here is... illegal :)

MeddlingKid · Answer

Sorry to bring an old post back from the dead, but I was hoping to obtain a bit more information on the use of Gu Gel between sections. When I take my Saturday practice exams, I typically eat a Clif Bar before starting, and have a handful of almonds between Quant and Verbal. But, I used to take Gu Gel when I went hiking and would certainly be willing to see how it affects my concentration and alertness. I also think I may switch to two hard boiled eggs and whole wheat toast the next few Saturday mornings. Clif bars tend to make me a tad sleepy.

sm332 · Answer

You guys are hardcore ... I ate a small bfast (fruits, cereal at 10am), at 11:30 I got my favored unsweetened Starbucks small iced coffee. Voila, nothing else aside from a sip of water over the course of the exam.

I would agree with the sentiment that it is about your brain conditioning and little else matters in the scheme of things.

I would agree with the sentiment that it is about your brain conditioning and little else matters in the scheme of things.

refurb · Answer

Complex carbs is the key. Eat some stuff that takes your body a while to digest, it provides a even supply of carbs for hours.

I like the Quaker breakfast bars. 200 kcals or so and mostly complex carbs. A couple of those and your good to go!

NN

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Eating/Snacks on D day

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