Deadlines and the Diet

As I mentioned in a previous article (I feel I ought to insert a footnote here- my life is turning into one long essay.) I have a weakness for the Law Library vending machines. I’m embarrassed to say that this weekend they did indeed get the better of me. My only excuse, weak and feeble though it may be, was that I had 3,000 words in for Tuesday on the- certainly not awe inspiring- topic of British Naval Power in the Eighteenth century. However, I realised that the only way to be able to fit into my jeans after a weekend of wearing oversized trackies, was to work out a way to eat healthily whilst still maintaining the motivation to write the darn thing!

First of all – GET OUT OF THE LIBRARY – no, I’m not telling you to sack off your essay, you’ll fail your degree if you do that, but take regular breaks, and when you do, go for a little stroll. I’m totally serious. If you’re in the Law Library go to the Business School, walk past Building One and follow the path around. The same route is also applicable for main library users. Yes, it may seem pointless, and I suggest you find a friend or you’ll never escape the promoters that always linger outside Streatham Court-tip: they seem more intimated by pairs and threes. (“No thank you, I’m in a rush” simply won’t hold as an excuse the third time you pass them…) The reason for this excursion is to refresh your brain and limbs with oxygen, increasing your concentration time and alleviating boredom – the main reason we feel compelled to resort to McCoys and Skittles.

Now as to what to eat – I have managed to spend an appalling amount of money in the last month; seeming to have let recent successes at monopoly go to my head – sadly I do not own Mayfair or Park Lane in the real world. My housemate Hannah and I have started to make packed lunches. Now I can’t tell you quite how fun it is to venture to Sainsburys with the aim of emerging with a five year olds picnic. Although it’s great to eat out once in a while, for those of us whose budget is a little tighter (how I cope with months longer than February, I just don’t know) there are some viable healthy options – for both your insides and your purse…

Lentil and pulse salad – I can literally hear the groans from here. The best thing about this is you can totally dominate the dish with whatever flavour you choose. Be it tuna, mayonnaise and pesto or smoked salmon (treat yourself once in a while!) and sweet chilli, you decide. If like me, you’re trying to do food combining, stick with veg for this meal as its high in carbs. Buy tinned lentils and ‘mixed beans’, pop them on the hob for a couple of mins, drain and add the condiments. One of my housemates refers to herself as the condiment queen; take a leaf out of her book – the more the better! The reason you want this scrumptious salad is to fill you up with long lasting energy to prevent snacking – and the dreaded vending machines (horror film “de dederrrr” inserted here).

Chicken and salad – Again with the salads, I know! But, a well prepared salad will not only fill you up, but provide essential nutrients giving you more energy and helping you concentrate for longer during those dreaded hours in the library. For this basic salad you’ll need what I call ‘the magic 3’ ingredients with which any rabbit-food salad can be turned into a gourmet dish. These are: cherry tomatoes, feta, and balsamic vinegar. Obviously you’ll need the basics such as leaves, but these can be changed according to taste. Spinach leaves are a really great option (and they’re my favourite anyway) as they are packed full of nitrates and iron which help deliver oxygen around the body – and most importantly to the brain! To make this salad, simply grill a chicken breast, chop into whatever size chunks you prefer and leave to cool. Pop the spinach, tomatoes, feta, and again, here add whatever you like – e.g. olives, pine nuts, peppers, cucumber… the list is endless, all into a bowl. Add the chicken, dress the whole thing with black pepper, olive oil and (the vital) balsamic and toss together thoroughly.

Collateral Snackage – Okay, so with the best will and all the Tupperware in the world, it is sometimes simply impossible to avoid the library munchies. Although the recipes above will fill you up and provide you with a great lunch, the empty space next to the laptop still needs filling- and with something other than peanut m&m’s. To fill this sad and vacant slot there are in fact a multitude of healthy options. Grapes are great for those with a sweet tooth, or perhaps a punnet of blueberries and strawberries. 
Almonds are also a good option as they fill you up, and although they’re quite heavy in calories, the fat they provide is actually good for you and they are packed full of vitamin E – great for your skin (welcome news for those whose library activities have turned their complexion all but vampiric…) Snacking should still be limited however, but as a general rule of thumb avoid processed foods which are high in sugar, as they will give you energy highs and lows- not great for the concentration.

Ok so enough bossy advice, just think about what you’re eating, prep yourself to prevent from pigging out. Simples. Or so the meerkats say.