With the end of the semester approaching and all the stress
with finishing projects and turning in final assignments, a lot of students
turn to fast food and late night sugar as a quick way to get energy. I too have
been guilty of this in the past, and my gut definitely suffered the
repercussions. What many students may not realize is all that late snacking can
actually have an adverse affect by feeling more tired the next morning due to
your body working all night long to digest what you ate. Instead of diving into
your cookie jar and chip bags, try eating dried fruits and almonds, within
moderation.
My favorite dried fruits are strawberries, bananas and
apples. Yeah I know, it’s not the same as chocolate or starbursts and Hot
Cheetos, but you’ll definitely feel a difference with your energy level the
following morning. And if your sugar tooth is still not satisfied, what I
recommend is 1 tablespoon of honey. Yes, honey still contains sugar, but it is
a whole food and does not contain all these other artificial ingredients that
candy bars contain. And if it’s one of those nights where you think you’re
going to be up until 4 a.m. and seriously need the caffeine, instead of coffee
I recommend green tea. While coffee does wake you up, it can also make you on
edge and even more anxious; which is probably the last thing you need before
your final exam. Green tea has a much more smoother effect in helping to keep
you awake. Another benefit of green tea is that it speeds up your metabolism. Being
under a lot of stress can also lower your immune system; drinking green which
is filled with antioxidants can help boost your immune system and help to
prevent you from getting sick during this important time of the semester.
I know some of these tips can be hard to follow for those
long, excruciating nights of endless typing, studying flash cards and trying to
keep your eyes from burning out after staring at a computer screen for so long-
but it will be well worth it in the end by helping to keep you energized in a
healthier way.
