[Anonymous]

I love to try new diets. I searched the internet for a diet that would boost my brain power as much as possible. I took the advice of Seth Roberts who has a blog and an e-book called “How to Become Smarter”.

I ate eggs with butter every morning. Also 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil. Sometimes Fish Oil too. Omega 3's are great for the brain. I stuck with protein and fat before and during study hours. Seth Roberts self experimentation revealed that butter and flaxseed improved his daily math test results noticeably . He eats half a stick of butter a day. Not easy. I would eat hot bran cereal with tons of butter with my eggs most days. The slow carbs of bran didn't slow me down like bad carbs do.

Sugar, flour, starches can lead to sleepiness and a slower brain. I made the mistake of stuffing myself with mountain dew, donuts and fried pies before a test. My mind was cloudy and I could not focus well. I was basically trying to calm my frayed nerves with the sugar and fat combo. It accomplished that but I failed the exam miserably.

At night I would switch to carbs to calm my mind and help me sleep. I would eat potatoes, yogurt, bananas and usually a Coke. Nothing special about those foods. Just my personal preferences for healthy carbs.

Also, we all know caffeine helps. I would drink lots of tea or Diet Sunkist early in the day. My stomach cannot handle more than one cup of coffee. After searching the internet for supplements that were highly recommended, I decided to use Pricetam to support brain function. Also, Huperzine A. Pricetam tastes like ass. It must be good if so many take it, because its repulsive.

I only became serious with my brain diet after failing FAR and AUD for the second time. My personal experience was that this diet works, along with lots of efficient study of course. Also, the adrenaline rush from fear of failure helped me focus too. My scores on the last two exams jumped significantly.

I was blessed with the opportunity to take off work after tax season and study full time during the summer and fall. I admire those who are taking this while working full time, and especially those that have families too. I was a C student and never ever could have passed this thing if I had a full time job. Kudos to all those juggling life on top of this dastardly exam.

I am interested in others experiences with food, drink and supplements.

FAR 67, 74, 84

REG 68, 76

BEC 50, 75

AUD 46, 72, 81 Yes, it is possible to get a 46 ; )

Thank God it's over and I Thank God for getting through all this pain and eventual joy. I just found out I passed my final test FAR yesterday. Good Luck to everyone.

[katiekanton]

I can absolutely attest to the OPs claim. If you find yourself frequently foggy, unable to recall something you know, having something “on the tip of your tongue”, etc. you may benefit from a low carb diet with the inclusion of healthy fats. I absolutely can tell a difference in my ability to focus like a laser when I'm eating veggies and clean protein, versus pasta, breads, etc. It's literally like night and day. And unfortunately it takes days for the brain fog to clear. There's no way I'd walk into Prometric without having eaten clean for at least a week.

[katiekanton]

I can absolutely attest to the OPs claim. If you find yourself frequently foggy, unable to recall something you know, having something “on the tip of your tongue”, etc. you may benefit from a low carb diet with the inclusion of healthy fats. I absolutely can tell a difference in my ability to focus like a laser when I'm eating veggies and clean protein, versus pasta, breads, etc. It's literally like night and day. And unfortunately it takes days for the brain fog to clear. There's no way I'd walk into Prometric without having eaten clean for at least a week.

[Anonymous]

good thread! this may help: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/vitamins-to-improve-mental-and-physical-health

[Anonymous]

good thread! this may help: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/vitamins-to-improve-mental-and-physical-health

[Anonymous]

also, i just watched this documentary on hulu the other day: https://www.hulu.com/watch/289122/fat-sick-and-nearly-dead

guy goes on a veggie/fruit diet only for 60 days and losses a lot of weight. swears he's more energized than ever. i had someone in my speech class tell me the same thing. the first few days are hard because you're always hungry and your body is not used to detoxing.

has anyone tried the “reboot” diet or something similar?

[Anonymous]

also, i just watched this documentary on hulu the other day: https://www.hulu.com/watch/289122/fat-sick-and-nearly-dead

guy goes on a veggie/fruit diet only for 60 days and losses a lot of weight. swears he's more energized than ever. i had someone in my speech class tell me the same thing. the first few days are hard because you're always hungry and your body is not used to detoxing.

has anyone tried the “reboot” diet or something similar?

[katiekanton]

I was on it for a month. Lost about a pound a day. Ended up going off it because I felt I was still getting too much sugar. I needed at least an apple in each juice to make it palatable and you're drinking 6-8 juices a day. If you don't have a problem with sugar, it's a miracle diet and I highly recommend it. It's terribly restrictive, which I think is a good thing. I don't do moderation well. It was MUCH easier to stay on than any other diet I've ever tried.

And yes, COMPLETE clarity of mind on it.

[katiekanton]

I was on it for a month. Lost about a pound a day. Ended up going off it because I felt I was still getting too much sugar. I needed at least an apple in each juice to make it palatable and you're drinking 6-8 juices a day. If you don't have a problem with sugar, it's a miracle diet and I highly recommend it. It's terribly restrictive, which I think is a good thing. I don't do moderation well. It was MUCH easier to stay on than any other diet I've ever tried.

And yes, COMPLETE clarity of mind on it.

[valueofnothing]

for a caffeine supplement with moderate dosage and healthy immune-supporting benefits, try the Good Morning Pill

(plug over)

[valueofnothing]

for a caffeine supplement with moderate dosage and healthy immune-supporting benefits, try the Good Morning Pill

(plug over)

[Anonymous]

I did the vegan thing for a while and lost lots of weight fast. I could not sustain during Thanksgiving. I'm always about 20-30 pounds overweight. I'll do low carb and lose it, but my moods get really crappy, so I end up scarfing carbs eventually. Bad Carbs make me happy. I crave tostidos super big time. I'm going to do the fruit and veggies again after the holidays. I'll check out the documentary.

[Anonymous]

I did the vegan thing for a while and lost lots of weight fast. I could not sustain during Thanksgiving. I'm always about 20-30 pounds overweight. I'll do low carb and lose it, but my moods get really crappy, so I end up scarfing carbs eventually. Bad Carbs make me happy. I crave tostidos super big time. I'm going to do the fruit and veggies again after the holidays. I'll check out the documentary.

[slugger991]

This is a great post. I will be starting work with a regional accounting firm in January and I will be expected to work long hours. I can probably whip something up along the lines of the OP's post for breakfast, but I will most likely have to buy some fast food type or sandwich for lunch. Can you guys recommend any meals from well known fast food type restaurants (ie subway, quizno's etc) that helps with mental strength? I mean obviously stuffing on big macs and whoppers will not be beneficial.

[slugger991]

This is a great post. I will be starting work with a regional accounting firm in January and I will be expected to work long hours. I can probably whip something up along the lines of the OP's post for breakfast, but I will most likely have to buy some fast food type or sandwich for lunch. Can you guys recommend any meals from well known fast food type restaurants (ie subway, quizno's etc) that helps with mental strength? I mean obviously stuffing on big macs and whoppers will not be beneficial.

[Guti]

I think this old post could help some of you guys. Who knows a different diet? Im trying to change my eating habits because is taking me too long to finish a chapter. Since I cant change my brain with a faster one, I could at least change my diet.

Any ideas??

[Guti]

I think this old post could help some of you guys. Who knows a different diet? Im trying to change my eating habits because is taking me too long to finish a chapter. Since I cant change my brain with a faster one, I could at least change my diet.

Any ideas??

[UCMCPA]

Want energy? Eat things with b vitamins as they actually take what your body digests and delivers it to the cell for ATP.

As for butter, if it's some generic junk you buy in the store, it's not good for you. REAL butter is. I'll agree with the flaxseed/fish oil/omega 3 in improving brain function.

I take 10-15 flaxseed/fish oil pills a day. I usually don't take a multi-vitamin because a vitamin is there to SUPPLEMENT a diet. If you're eating right, you will get all you need. If you eat like junk, have a multi. When it comes Winter time, I do use a multi + vitamin C to combat any nasty bugs I might acquire.

Also, if you have to buy fast food while working public accounting… then you're bad at time management. Cook a weeks worth of food on one day, bring your items in small containers, and eat whenever. Every morning I would walk into the office with my laptop and a lunchbox with 5 meals in it because I never knew how long I was going to be there that day.

[UCMCPA]

Want energy? Eat things with b vitamins as they actually take what your body digests and delivers it to the cell for ATP.

As for butter, if it's some generic junk you buy in the store, it's not good for you. REAL butter is. I'll agree with the flaxseed/fish oil/omega 3 in improving brain function.

I take 10-15 flaxseed/fish oil pills a day. I usually don't take a multi-vitamin because a vitamin is there to SUPPLEMENT a diet. If you're eating right, you will get all you need. If you eat like junk, have a multi. When it comes Winter time, I do use a multi + vitamin C to combat any nasty bugs I might acquire.

Also, if you have to buy fast food while working public accounting… then you're bad at time management. Cook a weeks worth of food on one day, bring your items in small containers, and eat whenever. Every morning I would walk into the office with my laptop and a lunchbox with 5 meals in it because I never knew how long I was going to be there that day.

[Guti]

UCMCPA,

Thanks for the tips!

[Guti]

UCMCPA,

Thanks for the tips!

[Study Monk]

I used to have serious weight problems and I am hyper sensitive to sugars. The general consensus in the nutritional community is you want to eat low glycemic foods for all day energy. Anything with lots of sugar is bad. Bread and pasta break down in your body like sugar for example.

My specific study diet which is relatively new is…

Morning and Snack: Salmon fish sandwich (I mix canned salmon with mayonnaise, lemon juice, green onions, celery, and dill) on whole wheat bread. Canned Salmon has lower mercury and higher omega 3 than tuna fish but basically tastes the same after the canning process. The cans are bpa free for those who care.

Lunch: I also have have a protein shake that is whey protein, almond milk, and frozen fruit. This time of the day a heavy lunch will slow you down and make you mentally sluggish. Salad would be another good option for someone other than me 🙂

Lunch 2:Lentils, bean dish, or another salmon sandwitch!

Dinner: By this time I am less afraid of the carbs and the related crash. A higher carb meal will give me an hour or two energy spike and let me crash around bedtime. I am basically rotating between frozen lasagna, home made tikki masala, Fried Rice with lots of eggs, egg sandwitches, and pot stickers. My dinner choices are more about saving money than nutrition, as I recently became unemployed to study full time.

On a related note eggs have a lot of nutrients for the brain, but I find that when I eat them in the morning I get mentally sluggish.

Back to studying 🙂

[Study Monk]

I used to have serious weight problems and I am hyper sensitive to sugars. The general consensus in the nutritional community is you want to eat low glycemic foods for all day energy. Anything with lots of sugar is bad. Bread and pasta break down in your body like sugar for example.

My specific study diet which is relatively new is…

Morning and Snack: Salmon fish sandwich (I mix canned salmon with mayonnaise, lemon juice, green onions, celery, and dill) on whole wheat bread. Canned Salmon has lower mercury and higher omega 3 than tuna fish but basically tastes the same after the canning process. The cans are bpa free for those who care.

Lunch: I also have have a protein shake that is whey protein, almond milk, and frozen fruit. This time of the day a heavy lunch will slow you down and make you mentally sluggish. Salad would be another good option for someone other than me 🙂

Lunch 2:Lentils, bean dish, or another salmon sandwitch!

Dinner: By this time I am less afraid of the carbs and the related crash. A higher carb meal will give me an hour or two energy spike and let me crash around bedtime. I am basically rotating between frozen lasagna, home made tikki masala, Fried Rice with lots of eggs, egg sandwitches, and pot stickers. My dinner choices are more about saving money than nutrition, as I recently became unemployed to study full time.

On a related note eggs have a lot of nutrients for the brain, but I find that when I eat them in the morning I get mentally sluggish.

Back to studying 🙂

[W_HAMILTON]

Anyone have any smoothie ideas? Someone mentioned a detox-type diet with smoothies; that sounds nice. But I'm lazy, so I need a lazy person's guide to smoothie making 😀 Can I just buy frozen berries and ice? Is that all I need to make a decent smoothie? lol

[W_HAMILTON]

Anyone have any smoothie ideas? Someone mentioned a detox-type diet with smoothies; that sounds nice. But I'm lazy, so I need a lazy person's guide to smoothie making 😀 Can I just buy frozen berries and ice? Is that all I need to make a decent smoothie? lol

[UCMCPA]

Years ago when I didn't really have any diet I noticed my energy levels were low and I just felt blah all the time. I've been eating like this for 5 or so years now and it's wonderful. It's very tough during busy season to get all of these meals in, sometimes I will sub in shakes + oats for the full meal (I drink the oats).

Here is my meal plan on days I train

Meal 1: 5 whole eggs, 4 pieces whole wheat toast or 1 cup oats

Meal 2: 8-10 oz turkey w/ 1/2 avocado

Meal 3: Same as 2

Meal 4: 6 oz chicken, 1 1/2 cups rice OR 8 oz of any meat + 2 cups rice (depends on body part I'm training)

Meal 5: (post training) Entire carton of egg whites, 1 banana, 1 cup white rice

Meal 6: 8 oz meat + 2 cups brown rice

Meal 7: 4 whole eggs + 1 cup oats

Sometimes I will trade out the white rice for sweet potatoes and sub in fish when I can afford it. I'm also very lenient on the diet, like yesterday I had 2 pieces of cheesecake and 2 brownies. I'll also randomly eat an entire homemade pizza by myself (around 2k cals) in one sitting.

When it comes to fruits/etc… I've always followed the fact that when your body digests sugar and things of that nature, it's looking to expend the energy quick. So if I eat fruit it's when I'm about to lift or when I need to get something in me faster than oats or something.

[UCMCPA]

Years ago when I didn't really have any diet I noticed my energy levels were low and I just felt blah all the time. I've been eating like this for 5 or so years now and it's wonderful. It's very tough during busy season to get all of these meals in, sometimes I will sub in shakes + oats for the full meal (I drink the oats).

Here is my meal plan on days I train

Meal 1: 5 whole eggs, 4 pieces whole wheat toast or 1 cup oats

Meal 2: 8-10 oz turkey w/ 1/2 avocado

Meal 3: Same as 2

Meal 4: 6 oz chicken, 1 1/2 cups rice OR 8 oz of any meat + 2 cups rice (depends on body part I'm training)

Meal 5: (post training) Entire carton of egg whites, 1 banana, 1 cup white rice

Meal 6: 8 oz meat + 2 cups brown rice

Meal 7: 4 whole eggs + 1 cup oats

Sometimes I will trade out the white rice for sweet potatoes and sub in fish when I can afford it. I'm also very lenient on the diet, like yesterday I had 2 pieces of cheesecake and 2 brownies. I'll also randomly eat an entire homemade pizza by myself (around 2k cals) in one sitting.

When it comes to fruits/etc… I've always followed the fact that when your body digests sugar and things of that nature, it's looking to expend the energy quick. So if I eat fruit it's when I'm about to lift or when I need to get something in me faster than oats or something.

[W_HAMILTON]

UCMCPA, do you have any recipes for shakes/smoothies (preferably smoothies, I like cold drinks!) that can serve as a healthy meal replacement?

[W_HAMILTON]

UCMCPA, do you have any recipes for shakes/smoothies (preferably smoothies, I like cold drinks!) that can serve as a healthy meal replacement?

[UCMCPA]

Depends on if you can stand to drink blended up oats.

My go to shake if I can't make meal 1 is : 2 scoops of whey isolate or casein, 1/2 banana, and 1/4 cup of quick oats. Just blend it up and it will work just fine.

As far as “smoothies” made of tons of fruits and juices, I haven't really done much of that so I can't be of much assistance.

[Author]

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