Patna, Feb. 12: With board exams around the corner, students are studying hard. But staying fit amid stress is the key to success.

Good food and adequate sleep are must for good results. Physicians and dieticians advised nutritious food, physical exercise, study breaks and adequate rest for students as they gear up for the upcoming board examinations.

Doctors said children go through anxiety, stress and mental trauma while they prepare for examinations. Thus, keeping well is crucial before the exams.

“Exam preparation is not just all about hard work. It also requires the right blend of mental and physical strength, which comes through a proper diet. After all, a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. For complete physical and mental health, especially during the taxing exam time, the body should get wholesome nutrition — iron, vitamins, minerals,” said Dr Rakesh Verma, a city-based physician.

He said to ensure children did not miss these vital nutrients in their diet, mothers can add micronutrient fortified health drink in the milk. Juice and dry fruit are crucial part of students’ menu before the exams, he added.

Experts said the study-hour of students increases manifold before the board exams.

“Students get into the habit of skipping meals because of scarcity of time and enormity of syllabi. But good nutrition is essential for both their body and mind to be exam ready. It is generally recognised that students allow themselves to become run down and vulnerable to various infections and disorders,” said Dr Rajeev Ranjan.

Rupali Singh, the head dietician of Jagdish Memorial Hospital, said there should be a balance between preparations and nutritious diet during the exam period.

“Both, the brain and the body, need a constant supply of energy. It can only be obtained from nutrient-rich food or supplements. Adequate food comprising all the vital and essential nutrients can help maintain a healthy body. It goes a long way in improving the performance,” she added.

Dieticians suggested extra nutrition to students to help keep their mind and body active.

Parma Singh, a Class XII student of Notre Dame Academy, said: “As the exam is fast approaching, I am concentrating on a balanced diet. If I study at a stretch, I keep eating something light. I never skip meals either. ‘Surya Namaskar’ (a yoga) warms up a student both physically and mentally. It helps in concentrating too.”

Parma said junk food should be strictly avoided before and during the exams.

Class XII Patna Central School student Shubham Kumar’s mother, Vimi Kumar, holds the same opinion. She said: “I have asked him not to eat anything outside. Since Shubham likes paneer, I cook it for him every alternate day. Though he does not like to eat rice and pulse, I strictly ensure that he takes them everyday. He used to have coffee in the evening daily. I am ensuring these days that he drinks Bournvita twice a day instead of coffee.”

For Shashank Anand of Class X of Radiant International School, homemade food is very important these days. Shashank said: “I am not consuming anything sold outside these days. Though I do not like milk, I ensure that I have it twice daily. I am also eating fruits and green vegetables.”