Finals have arrived, bringing sleepless nights, accidental Netflix binges, overall stress and a new version of yourself that you didn’t know existed. This alter ego sometimes craves fast food or binges on every snack in the vending machine, but the grease can bring you down and make getting through your tests and papers even more difficult. Eating the right foods can make all the difference in waking you up, boosting your brain and getting you ready for the rough times ahead.
We’ve teamed up with Nourish Snacks to find out which snack you should eat, depending on your finals week alter ego.
Nourish Snacks is seriously changing the way college kids everywhere snack during finals, and because of it, we got a deal for you. For a limited time, Spoon readers get 10% off their orders with the code “spoonfeed.” Get ’em here.
The answer is:
You need to focus. You need cinnamon.
Sounds like you’re having difficulty concentrating. Snack on some cinnamon, which is shown to help regulate blood sugar, keeping your brain sharp and narrowed in on your task.
Try sprinkling some cinnamon on your oatmeal in the morning, or use it to make honey-dipped apple slices even better.
Cinn-sational cinnamon spiced apples and almonds by Nourish Snacks is another great way to get a healthy dose of cinnamon in a tasty way.
The answer is:
You sound haaaangry. You need more nuts.
Grab a snack STAT. But not just any snack. You need nuts.
Nuts are rich in heart-healthy fats and protein, so you’ll curb your cravings while staying full. Try creating your own trail mix with pistachios, cashews and almonds. Throw in some chocolate chips and dried cranberries for added energy and flavor.
Check out Cashew Colada from Nourish, which is made with chewy pineapple, toasted coconut and roasted cashews, and say goodbye to hanger pangs.
The answer is:
You're a zombie. You need chickpeas.
Drooling on your textbooks? Snoring in the library? You need something to keep you focused and awake during finals, and strangely enough, chickpeas are your answer.
Chickpeas are high in iron and manganese, nutrients that help with energy production. Additionally, the complex carbohydrates from chickpeas provide slow-burning and long lasting energy, so you can study now and dream later.
Roast some chickpeas with cinnamon in the oven, or grab a bag of Honey Bee Good from Nourish Snacks, made with honey dipped and roasted chickpeas.
The answer is:
Stop fidgeting, yo. You need edamame and cherries.
Get fueled up for your active lifestyle. Try snacking on cherries or edamame.
Edamame is popular among athletes for its high protein levels, but it also packs a nutritional punch as a great source of fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, folate and vitamin K. You can find fresh or frozen edamame at most grocery stores. I like to eat it with a touch of salt, but I’ve heard it’s also great baked with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Cherries are high in the antioxidant anthocyanin, which helps reduce muscle inflammation and soreness. They also contain a chemical called melatonin, which helps you sleep better at night.
Want to snack on both at once? Try the killer combination from Nourish Snacks – Sweet & Salty Kapow.
The answer is:
You're brain dead. Lucky you, you need dark chocolate.
You are just so over it right now and in need of a snack that will give you a little brain-boost. Try munching on some cacao nibs or dark chocolate (70% or higher). Both contain potent antioxidants called flavanols that keep your blood vessels flexible and improve blood flow. And, dark chocolate contains a little kick of caffeine, which helps dilate blood vessels to deliver oxygen-rich blood to all of your cells, including your brain.
Get your hands on some Cocoa Loco – dark chocolate chia-oat clusters that dish up a triple whammy of flavanols: cacao nibs, dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder. How’s that for a boost?
The answer is:
You're stressin'.
You need to calm the hell down! Studying for finals is one of the most stressful times of the year, and for that we recommend bananas.
Bananas contain tryptophan, a natural calming agent and mood enhancer. They are also high in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure (sigh). Bananas also provide you with plenty of fiber to relieve constipation and help you feel fuller, longer.
Nourish Snacks provides a flavor called Nutty ‘Nanas, a no-sugar-added snack with chewy bananas and roasted walnuts.