Whether studying for an exam or writing a paper, everyone experiences the irresistible urge to munch during the semester. Some students reach for mashed potatoes in an effort to squelch major stress, while others grab a bag of chips to cushion the gritting of their teeth through a long biology reading.
Though food is a quick and easy solution to school-related anxiety, munching is a habit that can make the Freshman 15 skyrocket to the Sophomore 25 or the Junior 30. So how does one stuff one's face without stuffing the rest of oneself?
By reading labels and turning to low-fat, light substitutes for some of the best comfort foods. Snacks such as mashed potatoes, ice cream, cookies and potato chips all come in some alternative form from the classic, high-calorie (but admittedly delicious) originals.
A comparison of the real McCoy to its light counterpart shows that a hard-working, hungry student doesn't need to sacrifice taste to lose fat and calories.
After the food industry's craze over Olestra and its downswing due to the substitute's very unpleasant side effects, companies scrambled to battle this public relations crisis by introducing other alternatives. In Lay's case, the answer to consumers' diet needs was Baked Lay's.
Made from potato flakes, and not really resembling potato chips at first glance, Baked Lay's initial impression may not win over die-hard potato chip lovers. But one bite will lead to another and another, as the satisfying crunch and saltiness of Baked Lay's is just as addicting as that of Lay's Classic Potato Chips.
A bonus: no greasy residue to wipe on your pants after filling your face, not to mention the 40 calories and 8.5 grams of fat saved per serving.
Mashed potatoes are well known as the best comfort food around, but when prepared with lots of milk and butter, and served with warm, thick gravy, the calories and grams of fat add up. This edible stress reliever can pack on the pounds, especially when one strung-out person consumes an entire box.
While it is almost impossible to find a low-fat version of mashed potatoes and gravy, reading the labels on the boxed product reveals that some brands serve up less fat and calories than others. Betty Crocker's spuds win hands-down in taste when compared to Hungry Jack's version.
The queen of cookbooks' take on mashed potatoes offers creamier, microwaveable chicken gravy, as well as ten fewer calories and one less gram of fat. Comfort food seekers can find even more peace in the knowledge that this small difference in nutritional facts ends up to be healthy savings when large amounts are eaten at one time.
At some point in most people's lives, eating an entire pint of ice cream sounds like a very good idea. In most cases, reaching the bottom of the pint in one sitting turns the idea from good to very, very bad. However, squelching these feelings of guilt and continuing one's studies is made easier by choosing a lighter variety of Ice Cream and shaving off calories and a whole lot of fat.
While Edy's No Sugar Added Fat Free Vanilla ice cream is less creamy than Edy's Grand Vanilla, the fat-free version has the same sweet vanilla flavor, satisfying coolness and high possibility of a brain freeze as that of the high-fat version. With an ice cream that is fat free and has no added sugar, a stressed student can drown his worries in the sweet oblivion of a bucket of ice cream.
Sometimes the best comfort food can be good ol' milk and cookies. And what cookies are better for dunking than Oreos? Unfortunately, the crunchy cookie and its soft filling are the products of high calorie and fat content. Thanks to the introduction of Reduced Fat Oreos a few years ago, cookie devotees can still twist and lick their Oreos without worrying about added pounds.
While the cream in Reduced Fat Oreos is slightly harder to lick off, the combination of cookie and cream is still chocolaty and wholly gratifying and provides the same comfort and nostalgia needed while studying as its high-fat counterpart does.
Taking a little extra time while shopping to pick out low-fat and light foods will not only provide a longer break from studying but also a better diet. By making smart choices as educated consumers, students can fulfill their need to chew on something without fulfilling their nightmare of extra pounds.
