I want smart kids, especially in light of my second-grader's first science test score. Ouch. He didn't do so well, which is a little hard to take since I'm his appointed tutor. Seems he could use some foods to build up that brain of his. I could use some too.

What a child eats has a direct effect on test performance. Gotta keep sweets and junk food to a minimum then and up the intake of the following foods.

• High-quality carbohydrates, such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains
• Lean protein, like turkey, chicken, eggs, and beans
• Cereals, like oatmeal topped with fresh fruit or something with three or more grams of fiber and no more than six grams of sugar per serving
• Snacks, featuring baby carrots, celery, pepper sticks, string cheese, nuts, low-fat popcorn, grapes, and berries
• Skim or low-fat milk
  
  

There's more to brain power than food. You've got to keep your kids active too -- it improves circulation, which increases oxygen flow to the brain.

Ready to help your kids ace their next exams? I am. For more specifics, click here.

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It's arguably one of the most stressful moments in a college student's life. Running on all cylinders, burning the midnight oil, eating whatever we can find, and all the while trying to retain enough information to prove we are academically competent. Yes, folks, I'm referring to exam time.

Different colleges deal with the stress in different ways. For example, according to this neat article, students at Northwestern University all venture outside their doors for a ritualistic yell at 9PM sharp. This "primal scream" is shared by Stanford, Harvard and a host of other schools who need a way to vent their stress. As one guy put it, this is a way to share in the anxiety of everyone else. So at least you don't feel alone!

NYU has a different stress-relieving technique. Like other schools across the country, staff members will serve up a midnight breakfast to jittery undergrads. Not a bad way to get to know your professors either! With all the stress of trying to be so competitive, students are needing professional help too. The president of Saint Leo University, Arthur Kirk, says that long lines aren't uncommon at counseling centers during this time of year. Where does all this emotion come from? In the words of psychologist Pat Carey, "There are so many pressures to compete and succeed these days."

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"You are what you eat." That's a phrase I've heard my whole life, but it isn't a mantra that governed my diet during final exam preparation. Study fuel was whatever I could inhale within 5 minutes in front of books or a steering wheel. Greasy, fried, or half-baked... So long as it didn't make noises or move, the food was in my belly and I was back on the bandwagon.

But your brain requires healthy eating for healthy functioning just like the rest of your body. That's where these tips come in. Make sure to get plenty of vitamins and essential minerals in your diet. Iron and Vitamin B, for example, help improve memory and cognitive functions. From the perspective of a student, cereal is great to fill this need. Grab a bowl of fortified Fruit Loops for a boost of necessary vitamins. Chili works great too (beef has lots of iron).

Eat smaller snacks throughout the day instead of a few big meals. The more you put in your stomach at a single given time, the more your body has to work to digest it. This can make you sluggish while your body tries to metabolize all that grub. Consider bananas with a bit of peanut butter, or stir fry with frozen veggies (they're cheap and really easy to prepare). The general idea is to avoid eating so much that you feel compelled to hibernate. There are some more great tips here and here. Good luck!

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