By Kate
It’s around this time of semester you’ll find me doing everything in my power to avoid anything uni related, from excessively cleaning to getting a little too involved in Masterchef. But, if my newfound love for Masterchef has taught me anything, it’s that you need to have excellent knife skills, and really know your food. Whilst my knife skills are above par, what I'm really good at is knowing what I love to eat so my brain survives these trying times, so it makes sense during the end of semester to prepare myself for assessment by doing what I do best - eating.
I'll admit, I'm one of those weird students that blatantly refuses to eat fast food, so eating on campus is nearly always a no-go. Luckily for me, my limited hours at uni this semester mean I get to study at home and have unlimited access to the pantry. So, here’s what you'll find me snacking on as I churn out essays and reports by the dozen.
Whoever said toast was just a boring breakfast food was a dead set liar. There’s nothing boring about this old favourite - it all depends on what you slather on it! Personally, I’m a huge fan of avocado, peanut butter and sometimes a sneaky bit of hazelnut chocolate spread for those days when your essay just won't write itself. The healthy fats and protein in the avocado and peanut butter, and the carbs in the bread make for an excellent snack that will keep your brain fired up and your stomach happy.
My pantry is always stocked high with these little gems, ranging from your standard almonds and cashews, to walnuts, brazil nuts, and the addictive salty goodness of pistachios. Full of protein and good fats, they’ll give you a satisfying crunch as you flip through your textbook for what feels like the umpteenth time. Just watch that you don’t go overboard with these - a handful is the perfect serving size.
At the risk of sounding like your grandma, fruit is an excellent thing to snack on, not to mention it’s so much more satisfying than a cheeseburger. It’s super portable, cheap and tasty - basically, it’s the ultimate convenience food. I’m a fan of apples for when I’m out and about, but I’ll happily devour an orange or mixed berries at any time of the day.
I know a lot of people have a real love/hate relationship with mint flavoured foods - some think it’s like eating food straight after you’ve brushed your teeth, and others think it’s the greatest addition known to man. When it’s study season, I’m practically buried in peppermints and mint gum. I recently discovered these raw food bars from Woolworths, and I wish I was exaggerating when I say they’ve changed my life. Chocolatey and minty without the huge sugar hit - it’s a winner in my books.
Sometimes studying erodes away a part of you that only chocolate can repair. It’s okay, it happens to the best of us. Treating yourself to a couple of squares of your favourite chocolate is a surefire way to get your tastebuds and brain to thank you. Plus, the darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants - so you can get away with the “it’s good for me!” argument. What more could you want?