Carbs are not your enemy; they can actually be quite helpful. Consuming carbs stimulates serotonin production which is a chemical that can boost your mood and suppress appetite, according to a review in January 2003 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Avoid refined sugars like pastries and sugary drinks. Instead, opt for whole grain breads, cereals, and pastas. Whole oats, quinoa and brown rice are good examples of complex carbs. They are also found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and tubers.

Avocados, olives, and fatty fish like salmon are packed with beneficial fatty acids that are quite tasty. The Omega-3 fatty acid has been linked to lowering anxiety and depression based on a study in November 2011 Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. It can be found in salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil, and oysters. Can’t fathom swallowing cod liver oil? Flaxseed, chia seeds, soy beans and walnuts are also good sources of this powerful fatty acid.

Enjoy an array of fruits like melons, citruses, and berries to include a variety of vitamins and minerals. Before and on your exam days, enjoy a delicious orange or strawberries. Or if you feel in the mood for something more exotic, try pineapple, kiwi, guava or persimmons. These contain Vitamin C which has been associated with reducing cortisol among many other things according to a study published in January 2002 Psychopharmacology. Sounds like a sweet deal!

From dark, leafy greens to strong onions to sweet bell peppers, vegetables are diverse in flavors and nutrients. Leafy greens such spinach, kale, and arugula contain folate which is a B-vitamin that triggers dopamine. This is that feel-good hormone that has been found to help relieve depression, suggests a March 2007 review in Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. You could also try incorporating more beets, asparagus, and broccoli as side dishes to acquire more of this potent vitamin.

Yogurts and chocolate milk make delicious snacks. Probiotics found in fermented products like yogurt, certain types of cheeses, and kefir are linked to improving gut microbiota and may have positive effects on cognitive function and stress relief, as suggested in a review in December 2016 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science. But if you prefer to go dairy-free, soy milk or rice milk are alternatives that have their own benefits.