Being a college student means balancing homework with social events, alone time, extracurriculars and sleep. As much as we’d like to be some type of collegiate superhero, working ahead on her studies and spending time with friends while consistently getting nine hours of sleep, we often end up hunched over our desks in sweats in the middle of the night, just beginning a forgotten assignment. When your brain is fuzzy, and your stomach is rumbling, it’s easy to reach for potato chips as a quick 1:00 a.m. pick-me-up. However, there are many snacks that are not only healthy, but even increase energy and brain power- all while being easy to store in your dorm.
- Green Tea: When you feel yourself starting to nod off, don’t reach for the double espresso cold brew in your fridge. Green tea provides steady energy from a moderate amount of caffeine that won’t make you jittery or prevent you from falling asleep when you’re finally able to jump in bed. Not only that, but most green tea is packed with healthy antioxidants as well as amino acids that are proven to improve brain function.
- Nuts and Nut Butters: Packed with protein and easy to store, nuts are a perfect go-to dorm snack. While all nuts present many various health benefits, walnuts are said to be the go-to brain food, as they contain fatty acids proven to contribute to brain health. An added bonus, these same fatty acids are said to make your skin smooth and glowing, meaning they’ll help you achieve radiance despite a lack of sleep. Reach for walnuts next time you’re craving something salty.
- Fresh Fruit: Fruit, specifically berries and bananas, are wonderful at satisfying your sweet tooth while providing you with antioxidants that boost communication among brain cells and other nutrients that help to improve memory. If you have a refrigerator in your dorm, it’ll be easy to stock it with berries. If not, fruits like apples and bananas can be stored wherever you have space.
- Dark chocolate: Yes, you read that correctly. While eating chocolate in copious amounts may not give you a six-pack, doctors agree that consumption of dark chocolate in moderation has numerous health benefits. These include, but are not limited to: improved brain function, skin protection, improvement of blood flow and lowering of blood pressure. Keep a bar in your room and the next time you can’t focus on your math problem because all you can think about is a slice of chocolate cake, feel free to indulge in some guilt-free goodness.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea#section10
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods#section3
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate#section3