Food for thought

Written by Jenae Lee

Monster, Monster, Monster. Chips, chips, chips and ice cream. Sound familiar?

Studying for finals can be stressful, leading students to consume unhealthy food to stay awake while studying. The thing is, they don’t need to and shouldn’t eat these things while getting ready for the big tests.

According to Purdue University Student Health Center, students should eat small, frequent meals to keep blood sugar and energy levels steady. Preparing convenient meals will help guard against constant snacking. Stock up on foods such as bean soups, peanut butter, cold cut sandwiches, ready-to-eat tuna and chicken salads.

Try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, but satisfy a sweet tooth with a high-protein bar instead of a sugary candy bar.

Since studying cuts into time for exercise, eat meals that have more protein than carbohydrates. Instead of crackers and juice, go for cheese, crackers and skim milk. Add some grilled chicken strips to pasta. Or just have some scrambled eggs.

Drink lots of water! People should consume water at least every two hours to stay hydrated. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger, so have a glass of water or a cup of tea before reaching for another snack.

For snacks, search the pantry for nuts, raisins, cheese sticks, low-fat yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat popcorn, low-sugar breakfast cereals and oatmeal.

Remember, eating isn’t the only break to take while studying for finals. Students also need exercise to keep the blood circulating to their brains.

Lastly, avoid watching excessive amounts of television. It is a mindless distraction that will only send one to the pantry for unneeded calories.