Focus and Performance 

Have you ever gone to class hungry? If you have, you know that the only thing your mind cares about is what you are going to get in your bowl from Chipotle after class and not whatever the professor is lecturing about for that hour. You shouldn’t be focusing on how loud your stomach is growling while your teacher is telling you about the importance of Supply and Demand in your Econ 100 course. Hunger is one of the top distractors for a student besides technology. There has been plenty of research to support the limited attention span that plagues kids in school when they are missing meals, so isn’t it reasonable to assume that a college student would face a similar problem. Taking snacks with you to have after practice or before class could be a game changer in how you perform in the classroom. Just like elementary and high schools are making their snacks healthier and nutritious, you should also make that your priority when selecting snacks to take. 

Benefits of a Balanced Diet

There are several vitamins and minerals that, regardless of age, can impact your day to day function both physically and cognitively. In a learning environment, it is important to make sure you are getting enough vitamin B and E, zinc, and iron (Chenoweth, 2007). It is also important to make sure you are getting enough carbohydrates in a day as that is your brain’s number one source of fuel. Essentially without carbs, your brain is going to cramp and stop working like your muscles do when you are dehydrated. This is one of the key reasons why the Keto diet is detrimental to most people but especially to student-athletes.  Overall, when thinking about your meals, make sure you are following the appropriate recommendations for fruits, veggies, grains, and sources of protein. Make a colorful plate as each color of fruit and vegetables offer different vitamins and minerals that can help you perform at your highest level. 

Top 5 Snacks to Carry with You

1.   Almonds! They are a phenomenal source of protein and healthy fat, easy to put in your backpack, and come in a variety of flavors. I personally prefer the smokehouse BBQ by Blue Diamond. 

2.   Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches are rich in healthy fat, protein, potassium, and carbohydrates. Put it on whole wheat bread for a healthy and well-balanced snack as you are going from class to class or practice to class. 

3.   Sweet Potato Chips are a great alternative to chips as a snack and can be found at Aldi. Sweet Potatoes are considered a “super food” and provide you with an abundance of health benefits. While those are less in chip form, there are still some benefits to be gained. 

4.   Fruit Bowl or Salad if you have the ability to take a lunch box with you to keep it cool throughout the day this is a great healthy option for a quick snack!

5.   Trail Mix is a little bit of all of these put together. A salty and sweet snack that gives you some of the health benefits from fruits and nuts and easy enough to make your own version of it with what you prefer.