Foods to fuel your brain during finals week

Courtesy of MattysFlicks/Flicker

An apple with peanut butter and a bagel is a great snack option to fuel your brain.

Sierra Hoeger

With finals week approaching, many students are looking for a quick treat to grab on the go as they make their way to finals.

Foods that will help you maintain focus, keep you full longer, are simplistic and affordable are all factors that students should pay attention to when choosing which snacks to eat while studying.

The mistake most students make when choosing snacks is choosing options that are low in nutrients or turning to junk foods.

For example, foods with peanut butter are filled with protein and will keep you fuller, longer. Paired with a bagel or apples, peanut butter is a very flexible topping. Nuts are also a great source of nutrients and vitamins, especially Vitamin E, which can be found in most granola or nut bars.

If you’re looking for something a little bit sweeter, fruit might be the route you want to take. Foods such as blueberries, strawberries and apples are another quick, healthy option. When paired with yogurt, it usually gives those fruits the extra boost they need to help you get through the day.

If you’re someone who likes to meal prep, and get their foods ready either the night before or in the morning, here are some easy snacks that don’t involve much before they’re ready to go!

If you’re one for variety, and need something that can be eaten on the go as well as class, trail mix is the perfect snack for you. Gather together some of your favorite healthy, handheld foods, such as cashews, pretzels, raisins, almonds (also a good power food), m&m’s and some sunflower seeds.

This snack is so easy to make all you have to do is measure out your portions and mix them together in one big bowl. Gather enough for the day and you’re ready to go!

Apple & PB Bagel

-Apple

-Peanut Butter

-Bagel

  1. Split the bagel into its two counterparts

  2. Spread the peanut butter onto the surface of the bagel

  3. Cut the apple into slices or dices if you prefer

  4. Lay the apple bits onto the surface of the bagel, on top of the peanut butter spread

  5. Combine the two separate bagel halves or leave them as separate

  6. Put in a ziploc bag or TupperWare, and enjoy!

Yogurt-covered Blueberries

-Wooden skewers (usually associated with kabobs)

-Blueberries (or strawberries, whichever you prefer)

-Vanilla yogurt

-Wax paper/tinfoil

  1. Place the blueberries on the wooden skewers. Just enough blueberries so that you have room on the bottom of the skewer to hold it.

  2. Lay the blueberry skewers down on the wax paper/tinfoil

  3. Drizzle the yogurt over the blueberries, covering them from top to bottom. Turn the skewers as needed, to cover the entire blueberry

  4. Place blueberry skewers (still on the tinfoil/wax paper) in the freezer for about 2-3 hours.

  5. When ready to eat, take out of the freezer and enjoy!