By Kelsey Norden
“Eat it, it’ll help.”
-Remus Lupin, “Harry Potter and the Prisnoer of Azkaban”
Sometimes when you stress out, you can hit one of two extremes in your diet: You could eat far too much, or you could end up not eating at all. It’s important to be careful about what you eat and what you don’t eat in the middle of a stressful week.
In addition, it’s best to eat what will make you happier. Take a break to go to your favorite restaurant and order your favorite dish. Choosing to eat something because it’s the easiest to make or the only available option at the cafeteria isn’t always the best option. Being happy with what you eat can reduce your stress levels and result in less weight gain.
When you’re going to be out of your room working, pack some snacks for when you’re hungry and can’t get away for a lunch break. Skipping meals will not help you reduce stress or lose weight effectively; it’ll only make you sick.
Here’s a small collection of foods I’ve found to make the most effective study break snacks:
Bananas
In high school band, chaperons would pack us bagged lunch and snacks for long competition days, and they always made a point of handing out bananas. The high potassium in bananas helps reduce stress and nervousness, which was incredibly effective right before a performance. Potassium is also present in other fruits, but Bananas carry it by the truckload, making them the best healthful, stress-free snack.
Chocolate
Lupin gave Harry Potter chocolate for a reason.
Chocolate may not be the healthiest option, but it is the happiest. Everyone loves chocolate, and eating small amounts of sugary snacks every once in a while reduces stress quickly. Be careful not to eat too much though, or you might find yourself stressed for entirely different reasons.
Eat Your Greens
Healthful food is good food, especially when it’s green and leafy. Broccoli specifically contains folic acid, which reduces stress. Munch on a salad with some low fat dressing and you’ll have yourself a perfect stress-free lunch.
Water
I know as college students, caffeine runs our daily lives, but it’s important to put away the coffee mug and drink our daily allowance of eight cups of water a day. An icy cold glass of water will get your blood flowing and keep you from getting dehydrated. It’ll also force you to get up and run to the bathroom every couple of hours.
