With our grades riding on finals week, it’s important we keep up our energy by fueling our bodies the right way.
Breakfast
The very moment your 7:30 alarm begins to scream, your stomach also starts to growl. Since you were small, you’ve been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is quite possibly the truest statement in the history of true statements. You wouldn’t expect your car to drive with no gas, would you?
However, before you do ANYTHING else, knock back a glass of water. This will ensure that you begin your day in a state of hydration, fueling yourself for the mental struggle ahead. If you desire something on the sweeter side, try chowing down on a bowl of oatmeal with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or a touch of maple syrup. Round it out with a banana or a handful of berries and you will have covered all the important bases (carbs, protein, healthy sugars). A yogurt bowl is also a great bet. Choose plain, Greek yogurt to keep you full without the additives, and round it out with a portion of granola. For my savory homies, eggs are a great first meal of the day. Two eggs over hard, whole grain toast and avocado, complete with a drizzle of Sriracha, is the best move. Or, whip up an omelet with any veggies you’ve got handy, with minimal cheese. A personal favorite omelet recipe of mine is spinach, tomato, and feta. Trust me on this one. Oh, and coffee. Don’t forget about the coffee.
Lunch
Skip the mozzarella sticks and potato chips and lean towards a wrap or sandwich with simple and fresh ingredients. I recommend choosing a protein like deli turkey and incorporating either mixed greens, spinach, or arugula. Add in any combination of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, peppers, or any vegetable that your heart desires. A brown mustard or hummus are great condiment choices. Try to avoid mayo, or empty calories in general. The key here is to pack in as much nutrition as possible since studying saps you of your energy. A salad is also a great option, but not the wimpy kind. Just lettuce and dressing will not aid you in your study grind. Really, a salad should include all the components of a sandwich or wrap, minus the sandwich or wrap. Remember… keep drinking that water! Or seltzer, if you’re feeling sort of extra.
Snack Time!
You’ve been at it for hours and become a slave to your academics, a prisoner in the library. At this point, there’s only so much a third coffee can do for you, and it most certainly will not fill your hangry belly. Do not ignore your body’s craving for snacks, but don’t overdo it either. It’s easy to mindlessly eat while studying, or binge when especially stressed. This is why it’s important to choose a snack that is well balanced and will tide you over. Peanut butter and rice cakes, an apple (Team Granny Smith over here), carrots and hummus, or a handful of almonds are a few of my go-tos.
Dinner
It’s been a long day of studying. You’ve hit the books so hard that the very sight of lined paper makes you nauseous. Your fingers ache from typing away, and there’s not a single Spotify playlist you have yet to listen to 4 times through. There’s still much to be done, but a dinner break is needed. Take this time to not only eat, but to also reflect on your day. Check in with yourself; are you exhausted, motivated, ready to drop out? Maybe it’s in your best interest to go to bed early, or maybe you’re ready to get back at it after you eat. No matter what your game plan is, you need a dinner that will revitalize you. Try a piece of grilled chicken, a side salad, and brown rice. Have a piece of salmon, and a sweet potato. The simpler the ingredients, the better your stomach will feel. Yes, it’s easy to say f**k it, and order Wings or DP Dough, but I guarantee you that when you’re trying to get some rest, you won’t want to feel gassy or bloated. You’ll want to slip into a well-deserved slumber so that you can rise and grind all over again.
Note: Feel free to indulge in your choice of candy before or after any (or all) of the above meal options. A bag of Hershey Kisses at 9 a.m. or 11 p.m. never killed anyone. Promise.