Exams and a diet don't mix?

QuitoBandito

Hi all!

I'm entering my final year in Veterinary School, yet I have a huge problem with studying and snacking! Whenever I'm sitting and reading or writing for long periods of time I always find myself getting up for a biscuit or another cup of tea, or even an entire meal.

Does anyone else have a snacking and boredom problem? How do you deal with it? I find myself eating constantly at this time of year!

cmeiron

I work from home at my computer most of the time, with easy access to food...I find it's helpful to plan out my day to consist of about 5 meals/snacks and then spread them out every couple of hours. By pre-logging what I'm going to eat in the morning I know what I'm going to have, and basically when, so it's easier to be more mindful about it and not go overboard, plus it gives me regular breaks during the day

wllwsmmr

TOTALLY SHARE THIS PROBLEM i'm a snacker ): I either try to curb it by studying outside of home, or I just try to assign some of my calories for snacking so I don't go over! (But I'm a binge eater too so a lot of times I go over by a lot ): )

Some of my friends don't diet and they too eat more during exam periods because of staying up etc, but they just say they'll lose it after the exams! So I say don't sweat it and as long as you don't go too overboard, prioritize your exams first! Good luck with the studying!!

wllwsmmr

TOTALLY SHARE THIS PROBLEM i'm a snacker ): I either try to curb it by studying outside of home, or I just try to assign some of my calories for snacking so I don't go over! (But I'm a binge eater too so a lot of times I go over by a lot ): )

Some of my friends don't diet and they too eat more during exam periods because of staying up etc, but they just say they'll lose it after the exams! So I say don't sweat it and as long as you don't go too overboard, prioritize your exams first! Good luck with the studying!!

tk2222

Yes, totally. I do try to come up with healthy, low-cal snacks (and making them is one of those diplacement, nesting activities that you do instead of actually studying...like sharpening pencils and cleaning...I guess that's less good) various roasted vegetables in various combinations (carrot, onion, mushrooms, eggplant, zuccini, squash, cauliflower, broccoli...etc...) is a good one - tasty, varied and you can eat lots of it.

cmeiron

Yes, totally. I do try to come up with healthy, low-cal snacks (and making them is one of those diplacement, nesting activities that you do instead of actually studying...like sharpening pencils and cleaning...I guess that's less good) various roasted vegetables in various combinations (carrot, onion, mushrooms, eggplant, zuccini, squash, cauliflower, broccoli...etc...) is a good one - tasty, varied and you can eat lots of it.

"displacement nesting activities"...

oh my god, yes. Those all the time. :laugh:

QuitoBandito

Love the term "Displacement nesting activities"! that's totally what the snacking and procrastinating feel like!! Thanks for all the tips guys, I'll try not to go overboard and stress too much about it. Exams do come first and I can lose it after, but I'm going to aim for maintaining at the least

jordanlell

I was just going to post something about this. I'm at the beginning of finals week, and all I want to do is eat. I'm a stress eater, so all I can think about when I'm studying is the next snack I'm going to have.

slkehl

I study at a coffee shop. I'm poor so I can't afford to buy much food there!

albertine58

I feel you! I definitely have that problem normally, but I've found some ways to cope healthfully- my best tip is to make a snack/meal that's a large volume and eat it slowly while you study. I use roasted veggies or fruit & plain greek yogurt; you could also use air-popped popcorn or something like that. Every night I eat a mountain of roasted veggies, like cauliflower, asparagus "fries," brussels sprouts, etc. I chop them & massage 1-2 tsp olive oil into the veggies, spread on a cookie sheet and roast until they get blackened crispy edges. then add sea salt & feast!

BougieParfumee

I also have this problem!! I used to like to snack on popcorn and the like but I've been replacing it with edamame lately. I get the frozen ones in the pod, and I heat them up in the microwave and then add salt. They're not the least calorie dense snack in the world, but because they're in the pods I find that I don't eat them as quickly as my usual snacks. Also, they have protein, which I never seem to get enough of

mmmartje

Yes! I snack out of boredom and to avoid doing actual studying it seems. I seem to rationalise this by saying to myself that I can't study on an empty stomach or I need to eat anyway so I might as well do it now and and up eating no meals an all snacks throughout the day.
I would suggest planning your meals and snack, only food you love (like I'll get myself banana's which are something of a treat for me, or I'll get something expensive like blueberries) because you do deserve a bit of a reward during your studying. If it really gets out of hand I'd study at the university library. At least that way you're away from the kitchen. For me, I have a kitchen/bedroom/living room so food is alway nearby, take that away and I'm forced to eat my pre-planned snacks.

dimsumkitty

I find I can't study for long periods of time without getting hungry. It feels like my brain's using up my blood sugar or something like that. But I just plan around it and eat smaller meals so I have more calories for snacks!

IndigoFlowers

I actually tend to eat/be hungry less when studying for exams! Too busy studying to remember to eat at normal times, crazy to see how everyone is different.