Health Talk with Jessica: Tackling nutrition, gut health, and finals: Oh my!
Have you ever heard the gut referred to as “the second brain”? There’s a reason for that — and during finals week, keeping your gut healthy might just be the brain boost you didn’t know you needed
Oscar Mogollon Maticorena, bilingual CalFresh outreach coordinator for the North Coast Growers’ Association, has a fun idea to lighten the mood before finals — and support gut health for optimal brain function.
Fermentation fiesta: Sauerkraut, kimchi and massages
“I would say, have sauerkraut fermentation parties. Make kimchi. Have a kimchi party,” Mogollon Maticorena said. “You know, have friends over. Everyone splits up the labor, cuts up some fruit.”
The idea is that balancing the bacteria in your gut can influence how your brain functions. Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods, help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which may support both gut and brain health.
You heard the man — gather your crew, grab some kimchi and transform finals stress into gut-loving, probiotic fun with your friends.
Fresh Food for well-being
Students should know that EBT benefits stretch further than many think — including at local farmers markets. Mogollon Maticorena said you can buy fruits and vegetables, plus plants that produce food you can grow at home. He emphasized that access to fresh food is crucial for overall well-being.
Don’t miss out on benefits
Many students don’t know they may qualify for nutrition assistance through CalFresh — and finals week is a great time to make sure you’re receiving your full benefits. Mogollon Maticorena highlights the Market Match program, which stretches EBT dollars.
“It allows individuals to pull benefits from their EBT card in the form of copper tokens,” Mogollon Maticorena said. “Then you get a $15 match in silver tokens — which are good for fruits, vegetables and plant starts.”
Plant starts, where seeds are sprouted for you, are a perfect way to kick off your first herb garden. All you need to do is take them home and plant them in soil.
All It takes is sun and love
When it comes to growing your own greens, that’s the motto of Jay Nord, a horticultural therapist, behavioral analyst, and owner of Sapience Therapeutic Farms.
“All it takes is sun and love,” Nord said, wearing a Star Wars t-shirt and radiating Obi-Wan-level calm. “Be one with earth.”
At his farm, the therapy doesn’t end at the soil.
“The color green is therapeutic and being outside,” Nord said. “My chickens and goats are therapeutic animals, being with them is a way to get grounded.”
While not everyone can escape to a goat-filled refuge, Nord emphasizes that grounding yourself in nature — even just a walk through green space — can improve your state of mind.
“We can hear better when we are in a relaxed state,” Nord said. “That helps us respond better.”
Whether it’s with your roommate or your study group, staying centered and grounded is key when stress levels spike.
Tiny greens, big power
Kendall Elkins, owner of Freshwater Family Farm, is a microgreens maestro who champions nutrient-dense food — especially during times when you might not have the appetite (or time) to eat a full meal.
“Microgreens give you more nutrients per bite. Micro broccoli have forty times the amount of nutrients as a standard broccoli floret you can buy at the grocery store,” Elkins said. “My mom had cancer and could have a few bites of microgreens and I knew she was getting the nutrients she needed.”
So when you’re cramming and the idea of a full plate feels overwhelming, reach for a handful of microgreens. A micro bite could make the macro difference between brain fog and mental clarity.
Herbs, water and a little magic
Sophia Steinwachs, herbalist and owner of Woven Hearts Herb Farm, encourages students to explore herbs for gut and immune support.
“Herbs have antimicrobial effects — especially Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano,” Steinwachs said. “They’re also beneficial because of their aromatic oils.”
If you’re new to herbs, she suggests keeping it simple.
“Play around with herbs. Put them in your water to get to know them on a deeper level,” Steinwachs said. “Nothing complicated.”
Steinwachs shared that herbs can improve digestion, circulation and immune function — especially helpful when students are living on coffee, cup noodles and granola bars. If you’re like me and stress causes some, uh, uncomfortable digestion issues, a little rosemary-infused water might be a gentle and pleasant solution.
Gut check before the test
As finals week approaches, remember: nourishing your body is just as important as prepping your flashcards. Whether you’re throwing a fermentation party, sprinkling microgreens on your lunch, sipping rosemary water or walking through the redwoods — it all adds up.
Because during finals, your brain may be doing the test-taking — but your gut is setting the stage for success.
*This article reflects the opinion of the author, not of the newspaper as a whole.
