Right now, many of us are home with our families or staying in our apartments due to coronavirus and the shutdown of the University of Florida’s campus. With a heavier online course load, stress about everything and boredom, we turn to the one thing that always helps: food. We crave food because our brains send out cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone, to our bodies to start our fight-or-flight response to help us deal with stressful times. This stress hormone makes us crave sugary, salt and fatty foods because our brain believes we need fuel to fight whatever threat is causing our stress. Life is uncertain right now and tensions are high, so don’t feel guilty if you see yourself in the kitchen’s cupboards more or gaining weight. Be kind to yourself and others at this time and take joy in eating these great snacks.
- Fruit
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There’s advice out right now to stock up on frozen goods. Many meals right now have come from the back of the freezer or from dry goods that keep. These meals can lack certain nutrients and flavor that can leave us unsatisfied. Therefore, we should really try to grab some fresh fruit if we can. Citrus and strawberries have high levels of vitamin C, which can help decrease stress levels. Also, with many of us staying inside for a majority of the day, it’s important for us get the vitamin C we would usually get from the sun. Cold fruit is tasty, sweet and refreshing to snack on when playing Animal Crossing for the next hour.
- Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark
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I discovered this gem a couple weeks ago when I was craving something sweet but salty that wasn’t caramel ice cream. With dark chocolate, pretzels, almonds and toffee syrup it cures any struggle of choosing between a sweet or salty snack. With dark chocolate as its base, it’s scientifically proven to make you less stressed. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and makes you feel like you’re treating yourself, which psychologically makes you feel better. Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark is easy on the wallet and your mind. The two different flavors come together to create bliss that makes you forget why you were overwhelmed.
- Hummus and pita chips
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Do not start this snack if you don’t want to finish it in one sitting. There are so many different flavored hummuses that can fit anyone’s taste. My personal favorite is the roasted red pepper hummus. Depending on what brand, it can be a little spicy. But for the most part, you will find that the dip is a good balance of garlic and spice. If you’re vegan, this is also a good choice for you! It’s full of good mood inducing nutrients including folate, magnesium and zinc with the addition of fiber and protein. There’s also something just that makes you cool about dipping pita chips in creamy hummus.
- Babybel cheese
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These little round cheeses are so cute and yummy. They are a French version of Dutch Edam cheese, and they are a great way to have a quick bite when hunkering down to write a paper. There are no health benefits that help with stress in these little cheeses, but there doesn’t have to always be a benefit to your snack. It’s okay to just eat something because you enjoy it.
- Trader Joe’s Very Green 100% Juice Smoothie
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I was skeptical when buying this drink. Green smoothies can either taste great or like they’re bitter juiced leaves. But when I took that first sip and noticed the strong mango taste, I was incredibly happy about my purchase. It usually only costs about $2, and it’s a great snack to stock up on to have during that awkward time between breakfast and lunch. Full of delicious ingredients like banana, mango, kiwi, apple and pineapple, you’ll feel refreshed after one sip.
Being stuck at home can make us feel a little less human at times and can cause us to forget to take care of ourselves. It’s important for us to remember to eat and stay hydrated, so we can stay fit, fight any illnesses and do well in our classes. Besides snacks, make sure that you’re taking the time to prepare meals. Doing so can help you feel like you have a routine and are getting the appropriate nutrients. Stay safe and healthy everyone!