So we are in a little bit of a predicament, my friends. On the one hand, summer is almost here, meaning bikinis, boats, and (hopefully) cute boys to hang out with in said bikinis on said boats. On the other hand, summer is almost here (wah wah), meaning we are not only spending these weeks studying our little (or big) badonk-a-donks off, but any moment not spent studying (or stress eating) is spent drinking with our pals because hey, we only have a few more weeks left and we want to remember all those good times we spent drinking together until we didn’t remember drinking together. Ah, those times are the greatest. I think.

The only problem is that situation numero dos (the drinking/not remembering eating that entire pizza at 2am) doesn’t help us out with situation number one (bikinis and fitting our booties into one).

When we drink (and we all know this by now), we’re not only consuming a ton of calories from our friend the frozen marg, but much like that fabulous children’s book “If You Give A Moose A Muffin,” if you give me a tequila shot, I’m going to want some mac and cheese/pizza/other late night snack to go with it. And that means may-jor (Rachel Zoe voice) extra fat and calories.

Unless you have some healthier versions of your favorite tasty treats up your sleeve, which – yay! – I do.  I’ve spent some time playing around my kitchen and come up with a trusty arsenal of late night foods that satisfy the late night craving minus the late night calories. Seems too good to be true? Well, whip these up in your kitchen (or dorm room) and you’ll realize that it’s not!

Mac & Cheese:
1 pack of Tofu Shirataki noodles
2-3 wedges of Laughing Cow Cheese (any flavor)

Strain the noodles, warm them in the microwave and mix in the cheese until it gets all gooey and mac and cheesy. Benefit aside from the lo cal count (these “noodles” have about 40 calories in an entire package!)? This recipe is easy enough to make while wasted.

“Pasta”
Okay so by pasta, I mean not pasta. Take any leftover or frozen veggies (I love broccoli or cauliflower), heat them up (oven, stove top or microwave depending on your level of sobriety) and toss them in some tomato sauce and a little Parmesan and you get the taste of pasta minus the muffin top. It’s a win-win.

Sweet Potato “fries”
Take one large sweet potato and slice into thin rounds, toss in a little bit of olive oil, sea salt and paprika, throw on a cooking sheet and bake for about 35 minutes.

“Chocolate” bark
I’ve written before about the amazing benefits of coconut oil - it’s really great for ya! Now I’m going to use it and give you the satisfaction of chocolate….in a healthy way! Note: Make before you go out so you can just nom nom nom when you get home.

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
4 packets of Stevia
1/2 tablespoon of agave (optional)

Mix the cocoa powder and Stevia, then add in the melted coconut oil. Pour onto a cookie sheet or into cupcake holders and freeze. Feel free to add a few drops of a Stevia flavor to make it even better, but you won’t need it. This stuff is decadent and tasty and will hit the late night spot.

Peanut butter
Sometimes late at night, I like to eat peanut butter on a spoon. Sometimes with jelly. Sometimes with chocolate chips and sometimes just by itself. It’s true. and it’s good, But it’s not the healthiest of late night snacks. Swap out peanut butter for Better ‘n Peanut Butter as a healthier alternative while still getting that PB taste. (It has only 100 calories per tablespoon!)  It’s especially tasty on a whole wheat pita with sliced banana on top!

For even more healthy alternatives to your favorite unhealthy snacks, click here. And if you’ve got a favorite “late night snack” swap, share it with the rest of us below! 

Ever have one of those days where you were supposed to make an appearance at the gym but got caught up in a marathon study session and platefuls of tater tots instead? Yeah, me too. It’s called Saturday. But don’t beat yourself up about those less active days; compensate for them!

There are a lot of simple changes you can make in your life that will not only undo those lazy days, but really make a difference in your overall health and fitness. If you can do at least one per day, I guarantee that you’ll be making a positive change in your lifestyle. You ready for the easiest health advice of your life?

1. Take the stairs
Studies have shown that taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator will burn 2 times more calories. That makes sense, since taking the latter means just standing there and awkwardly not talking to the other people just standing there. Even if it’s just a few stories up to your next class, make the effort to walk there. If you don’t want to make the 6-story trek to your biology class, then start by taking the stairs down.  Any little effort makes a huge difference.

2. Replace your sweet chocolate craving with your favorite fruit
What’s stopping you from eating fruits? Most likely, the fact that you don’t have any around. Always keep a nice stash of healthy food in your fridge, just in case a snack attack pops in. It’s much healthier and you’ll feel a lot less guilty after you chow down. Now, I’m not telling you that an apple is going to satisfy you when all you want is a brownie, but I am saying that getting some fruit while you’re also getting some sweets will do your body good. For example, craving some major chocolate? Try fresh strawberries with a small drizzle of Nutella. You’ll fulfill that chocolate craving and secretly geta nice dose of Vitamin C!

3. Try holding your utensils with your non-dominant hand
As a right-handed person, holding a fork in my left hand forces me to eat slower because I’m not used to it. Since our bodies take about 20 minutes to digest food and realize its full, eating slower prevents us from overeating and indulging in extra calories. It may feel odd at first, but give it a go – it works!

4. Standing instead of sitting
If you’re one to take public transportation, you may feel like you just found the Golden Ticket when a seat finally opens up on the bus. Try changing your mindset and stand up instead. You can burn up to 10-15 more calories per hour because you’re constantly engaging your core muscles to stabilize yourself. Want extra points? Don’t grab onto anything and ride the bus waves!

5. Doing calf raises while waiting in line
Instead of standing idly while waiting for the front desk lady to hand you your transcript or the mail room guy to find that package of cookies your mom sent you for finals, try some nice and easy calf raises. These don’t attract as much attention and strange looks as lunges (trust me), but it’s still a great way to keep moving, burn calories, and tone your legs.

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The Ingredients:  Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Plantains

Sweet potatoes, as this recipe will prove, actually make for a very savory snack. Among other things, they are a great source of fiber and beta-carotene. Cauliflower is rich in folate and Vitamin C. Plantains are high in Vitamin A and potassium. Not only do these three foods power you with a wide variety of nutrients, they’re also pretty cheap and taste remarkably like junk food (if you cook them right, that is).

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato
1 head of cauliflower
1 green, starchy plantain (the riper they are, the sweeter they are, so a really ripe plaintain will ruin this recipe)
1-2 TBS of the oil of your choice (my favorites are grapeseed or coconut oil)
Salt and pepper to taste

The recipe:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Scrub your sweet potato and wash your cauliflower. You may choose to blanch your cauliflower in boiling water, but this is optional.

3. Slice your sweet potato into ¼” thick pieces (keep the skins on!). Cut your cauliflower into florets. Peel and slice your plantain into about ¼” pieces as well.

4. Put your veggies in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil, salt, and pepper to the mix. Fold until your veggies are lightly coated.

5. Spread your dressed veggies out on a cookie sheet.

6. Bake your veggies for about 35 minutes or until golden brown (if you usually like your French fries crispy, you can let your veggies get darker). Halfway through cooking time, you may want to flip ‘em over to ensure even roasting.

Put on a tray, serve with a side of ketchup, and voila! You’ve got a dish even your pickiest friends will be able to pick at. This also works great if you’ve got a hankering for French fries, but want to save your calories for Christmas cookies. Either way, this savory dish has plenty of health benefits, so dig in. Merry Munching!

This post provided by college nutritionist, author, and all around excellent source of healthful info, Melanie Jatsek.

It’s the start of the new school year.  For some of you this will be your first time away from home and you may be feeling a little nervous about meeting your new roommate and dorm life in general.  For others it’s like coming home again, only this time you are moving into your own apartment.

Let’s face it, there are many things in college you can’t control, but what you eat isn’t one of them!  Because certain foods improve your focus and brain health (while others destroy it), your food choices will have an impact on your grades.  What about the so called “Freshman Fifteen”?  You don’t have to fall victim to it or poor eating habits if you play it smart from day one.  In fact, your eating habits can actually improve in college (yes, I did just say that)!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard if you keep it simple.  All you really have to do is remember the 5 basics and build your meals and snacks around them:  fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meats/meat substitutes.  Whether you are a first year college student and only have a tiny dorm room refrigerator (and an even tinier cupboard to store your food) or you are a returning student living in an apartment with a kitchen, here are the 13 foods you must stock up on to stay on track:

Fruits:

Apples
Unsweetened applesauce
Dried fruit (plums, apricots, raisins, mangos)

Sure fresh and frozen fruits are always best, but if you don’t have the means to go grocery shopping on a regular basis, you need to be prepared and have shelf stable fruits on hand to snack on.  If you are a freshman, chances are you will be eating most of your meals in a dining hall anyways, so it should be pretty easy to find fresh fruit.  Just like fresh and frozen fruits, dried fruits are also rich in disease fighting antioxidants, but try to keep portion sizes in mind because they are higher in sugar and calories.  A small handful is plenty!

Snack idea:  4 dried plums with a small handful of lightly salted peanuts

Breakfast idea:  1 chopped apple mixed in a bowl of cooked oatmeal (for extra fiber, leave the skin on the apple)

Vegetables:

Baby carrots
Low sodium V8 Juice

Baby carrots are ready to eat, fiber-rich and low in calories.  If you are short on refrigerator space, individual cans of low sodium V8 Juice count as a vegetable serving too!  They come in packs of 6 4-ounce cans and don’t require refrigeration.

Snack idea:  14 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter for dipping

Grains:

Quaker Oatmeal
Kashi cereal bars
Triscuit crackers

The American Heart Association recommends 3 servings of whole grains every day for good health.  Quaker Oatmeal is one of the quickest and most affordable whole grains you could stock in your cupboard.  If you want to save money, forget the instant oatmeal in individual packets and go for the large 42 ounce cylinder instead.  Even though it isn’t instant oatmeal, it can still be cooked in the microwave.

Kashi cereal bars are one of the most nutritious whole grain cereal bars on the market today.  They make a perfect snack for in between classes.  My personal favorite is the “Honey Almond Flax” bar.

Trisuit crackers are considered whole grain and make a great substitute for greasy potato chips when you are in the mood for something on the salty side, but with some nutritional value.  They come in a variety of flavors too, from “Garden Herb” to “Fire-Roasted Tomato.”

Snack idea:  6 Triscuit crackers with 1 string cheese

Breakfast idea:  Oatmeal with a handful of walnuts and a touch of brown sugar

Dairy Products:

Yogurt
String cheese

Calcium is so important for your health.  I’m sure you know it is essential for strong bones and teeth, but did you also know that it can help to ease the symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?  Really!

Just like with oatmeal, yogurt can be purchased in the larger containers to save money.  Low fat yogurt is a balanced source of protein and carbohydrates.  Be careful because they can be pretty high in sugar too, especially those with fruit on the bottom!  Low fat Greek yogurt tends to be a little pricier but is also higher in protein than traditional yogurt.

Snack idea:  8 ounces of yogurt with a small handful of lightly salted peanuts mixed in (a deliciously salty and sweet combination!)

Meats/Meat Substitutes:

Peanut butter
Nuts
Tuna fish

All three are easy to store, do not require refrigeration and are packed with nutrients.  No need to worry about the fat and calorie content of peanut butter and nuts if you keep the portion sizes small:  2 tablespoons of peanut butter, a small handful of nuts.  Studies have shown that people who eat a small portion of nuts every day have an easier time managing their weight.  Why?  Because they fill you up and curb your appetite!

If you like tuna fish, go for it!  It is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, which are important for your brain health.  Fish really is brain food!  Choose Low Sodium Light Tuna Fish by StarKist for the best nutritional buy.  It comes in convenient, portion controlled packages of 3 3-ounce containers.

Snack idea:  6 Triscuit crackers topped with 3 ounces of tuna fish

Well there you have it – 13 cheap, quick and nutritious foods to have on hand at the start of the 2010 school year.  Don’t wait until the pounds start packing on; be proactive and start building healthy habits now!  Remember, you have 100% control over what you eat.  Choose a balance of nutrient-rich foods everyday to stay healthy, fit and focused this year.  You can do it!

Melanie Jatsek is a speaker, author and registered dietitian who teaches college students how to eat to look better, feel better, think better and stress less!  Send her an email at melanie@melaniejatsek.com or connect with her on her new Facebook page for college students: “The Healthy Campus Project”

Hate how all the guys you know only lift weights a few times a week, skip the treadmill, eat twice as much as you, and still manage a 6-pack while you struggle to reveal any pack at all? Maybe it’s time to take a few tips from the boys!

As members of the fairer sex (holla!), we have some major obstacles to staying slim that guys will never have to deal with. The bloating and hormonal changes that come every month obviously suck. And the cravings don’t help us lose those extra pounds, either. While it’s true that both guys and girls get cravings, women are more likely to crave chocolates and sweets, whereas guys are more likely to crave meat (which happens to be filled with protein, makes you feel full longer and is generally better for your body). See the problem here? We should take a hint from the boys and switch to more protein-oriented snacks! Before reaching for the chocolate, go for some string cheese, a turkey and cheese wrap, or cottage cheese with fruit. If you’re still craving sweets after that, try mixing some protein with it – like almonds and chocolate chips.

While most ladies prefer free weights (or just skipping weight-lifting entirely), guys opt for the larger machines and weights. Unfortunately for us, this means that most guys burn 30% more calories every day because they have more muscle mass. If you’re still under the misconception that you will get larger and more masculine from lifting, never fear. They’ve done tons of studies that show no increase in size – only an increased muscle to fat ratio, which translates to more calories burned while you’re just sitting there! Again, more muscles = more calories burned. So how do you know how much weight to lift? You should only be able to do 10-12 reps at a time with a weight. If you can do more, it’s too light. If you can do less, it’s too heavy.

But it’s not just our hormones and our workouts that differ from the guys – it’s our overall mindset, as well. The MSNBC article says women are more likely to try to become “perfect overnight” and give up everything cold turkey. Guys tend to stay away from perfection. If they accomplish 80% of their weight loss goals for the day, they are satisfied. And allowing themselves the chance to “mess up” now and then is what keeps them successful in the long run. If we ladies can accept the fact that some days will be great and others will just be OK, we’ll see more success (or leaner, more toned bodies) in our future. Stop feeling guilty after eating some junk food – no one’s perfect. Enjoy the flavors and tastes, and get back to trying to eat healthy right after! The all-or-nothing mindset will backfire, guaranteed.

Finally, the way we women tend to look at food is also holding us back from our goals. For many women, eating is a more emotional experience. A University of Minnesota study found that “women are twice as likely as men to binge because they’re depressed.” This becomes even more important when you also know that “women are also twice as likely as men to be depressed” in general!  I blame those stupid yogurt commercials… Either way, food means comfort for a lot of women. Guys don’t view it in the same way. Food is for sustenance and other activities – like playing basketball, running or playing video games – are for entertainment. Take a hint from the boys and find something active to do to lift that mood. Take a dance class, go for a long walk, read a book… Whatever you do, stay away from the kitchen!

If you want to lose weight like a dude, you need to think, eat and exercise like a dude. It’s that easy.

Your cheat sheet to losing weight like a dude:
1. Don’t deprive yourself
2. Do something active when you’re upset
3. Eat protein when cravings hit
4. Lift weights

I’m sure most of us (myself included) don’t really stop mid-bite to ponder the effects of different foods on our teeth.  And while it doesn’t need to be at the forefront of our thoughts, we should still think about them chompers from time to time.

I don’t know about you, but I would rather not spend countless hours, dollars, and shrieks of pain getting dental surgery because I didn’t take care of my teeth early on… and refused to give up my daily coffee/candy bar breakfast routine.

Read on for the food rules of healthy teeth.

Drink tea: A study from the University of Illinois found that drinking tea without added sweeteners can significantly reduce the incidence of dental cavities.  Scientists propose that this is due to the polyphenol content of the tea, but the evidence is inconclusive.  Reduce the amount of cavities in your mouth by drinking at least a cup of tea each day, preferably after meals.  Remember that tea has plenty of other health benefits other than for your teeth, so drink up!

Avoid sugary foods: This one’s a no-brainer, but I thought it was worthy to include regardless.  Study after study has found an association between high sugar intake and high levels of dental problems.  Remember that other carbohydrates such as bread and cereals can also contribute to cavities if consumed in high amounts, so aim for balance in your intake of carbs, protein, and fats. If you are going to eat sugary foods, you can improve your dental health by brushing your teeth immediately after food consumption.

Chew sugar-free gum: Gum containing xylitol has been shown to reduce the incidence of dental caries by stimulating saliva production in your mouth, which can decrease plaque build-up.  Just be sure the gum you’re chewing doesn’t contain sorbitol, as it has less beneficial anti-cavity effects than xylitol.  Pop in a stick after snacks and meals to fight plaque buildup and thus, harmful dental cavities.

Avoid over-consumption of dark foods:  These can include coffee, red wine, and dark sodas.  Tobacco also has a similar effect, so stop smoking if you want those pearly whites (and lungs…)

As someone that has never been able to look the other way when there are snacks on the table (and feel a constant urge to reach out my hand and grab a few them all), I have come up with some healthier options to help you stay slim and satisfied at the same time.

What not to make/eat: Grandma’s Seven Layer Mexican Chip Dip

Weve all sampled this delicious partner to the trusty Tostito. Made with one layer each of refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, salsa, olives and lettuce, you’re bound to gobble up hundreds of calories. Add tortilla chips or tacos to the mix and you’ll really be in trouble. Plus, it’s so good that you know you won´t stop eating after just a few bites.

What to make/eat instead: If you can´t kick your craving for something creamy, substitute a low-fat dressing (Ken´s brand Light Caesar and Ranch are two of my personal favorites) for the dip and fill a bowl with veggies instead of chips. If you can´t go the vegetable route (because the guys won’t stop making fun of you), buy low-fat Wheat Thins, Triscuits, or pita chips instead of the greasy Tostitos.

What not to make/eat: Mozzarella sticks, fried chicken wings, mini hot dogs (aka Pigs in a Blanket), French fries, or any other member of the fried ‘n oily family. In addition to being unhealthy, these foods are usually so small that you eat 20 of them before realizing that you have just descended into a pit of fat.

What to make/eat instead: Bruschetta is a great bite-sized substitute for the culprits listed above. Because it´s made with toast, you still get the crunch factor while eliminating tons of fat. The topping can be made in a snap by combining garlic, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar. Drizzling your mini toasts with olive oil before baking will also add a lot of flavor. There are also tons of healthy alternatives to the typical Super Bowl fare, like baked buffalo wings or fries.

And for the drinks…

Everyone knows that alcohol is caloric, especially when downing multiple glasses of sugary margaritas, mojitos and Long Island Iced Teas. If you can´t get the party started without something to wet your whistle, however, look for Michelob Ultra: this beer only has 95 calories and 2.5 grams of those dreaded carbohydrates per bottle. And if beer isn’t your thing, mix yourself a little vodka soda for only about 70 calories.

In the end, no one will stop you from adding to your unfortunate holiday weight gain by downing unhealthy snacks during the Big Game. It’s all you. But, if you can’t commit to these healthy alternatives, try eating a handful of roasted almonds, dried fruit, or a few rice cakes before walking out the door. This will ensure that you’re not starving when you arrive at your friend’s house, and hopefully prevent you from gorging on barbecue chicken wings before the first quarter even starts.

Bad news. Bad, bad news.

There are certain things we just know are bad for us.

Smoking? Check.
Too much Jersey Shore? Check.
Tanning beds? Check.
Drunk texting? Again, check.

But salt? Salty, delicious salt?

Brace yourself, ladies; new research is out and it looks like my favorite condiment (slash de-icer) is a whole lot worse for us than I originally thought.

According to most health experts, we’re only supposed to consume one teaspoon of salt per day. That’s it. In an entire day. Guess how much salt the average American consumes per day? Two to three times that amount! And when you go over, you’re really screwing yourself over.  New York knows it – they are urging “food manufacturers and restaurant chains to reduce salt in their products nationwide by 25 percent over the next five years.”

That’s a serious step; can salt really be that bad for us? The answer is apparently a resounding YES. If you’re consuming too much sodium, water retention (read: bloating) is the least of your problems; you are also increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure. And it gets worse; new studies even show  that “reducing salt in the American diet by as little as one-half teaspoon per day could prevent nearly 92,000 deaths each year.”

Yup, they brought the D-word into it and everything.

Like you, I’m now going through my cabinets ominously. Salt is effing everywhere! Even in my pudding cups! What am I supposed to eat? Carrot sticks and water?! OK, pause. Breathe. Put down that bag of Doritos. And the cheese dip.

Here are a few tips from the Mayo Clinic to help you cut down on your salt intake without cutting down on taste:

1. Eat fresh, not processed. This means buying less pre-prepared stuff, which is chock full of sodium, and eating more veggies and fruits. This also applies to meat; fresh meat has less sodium than lunch meat!

2. Campbell’s is Mm-mm-good with less salt, too. There are low-sodium options of nearly all of your favorite foods and many of them taste just as good. Read your nutrition labels closely and go for the lower-sodium options.

3. Soy sauce is not your friend. Clearly we can’t just get rid of all of our favorite condiments, but try to limit salad dressing, dips, sauces, ketchup, mustard, etc. They all have salt and cutting back on them is the quickest and easiest way to reduce that salt intake.

Looks like someone could use some low fat cheese snacks.

Ah, Finals. How I love you. You fall during the greatest time of year and have me reading textbooks instead of drinking Gingerbread lattes and enjoying the holiday sales. You leave dark circles under my eyes and extra inches around my waistline.

Basically, you suck.
Big time.

But, I’m not going to let you conquer my spirit and beat me down to a mumbling, dribbling fool this year. You may not be easy like my Freshman year roommate; I may always scream for joy as I darken the last circle on my last Scantron form, triumphantly dumping my notes in the garbage. But with enough determination I, and the many other good looking and smart students like me, can emerge from the semester with my sanity intact.

How, you ask?
What, are you mocking me?
Don’t look at me like that, Finals. I’ll f**k you up!

OK, here’s how. With a little help from these friends.
How you like them apples, FINALS?!

1. Classical Playlist:
So, most of us don’t have a bunch of classical music mixed in with our usual Gaga/Flo Rida jams on our iTunes. But that is exactly what you need for optimal studying. Studies show that classical music is connected to improvement in some mental tasks. And studying for exams is definitely a mental task. Ot marathon. But you don’t need to spend all your bar money for some boring classical music; just plug in those ear buds, hop on over to Pandora and create a “Mozart” channel. Listen to that (instead of the ever distracting, Britney) while you run through flashcards and you’ll be relaxed, focused and a whole lot more prepared.

2. 24-hour establishments:
If we’re going to be up all night, we need resources. If we run out of paper halfway through printing our essay, get hungry at 4 am, or need a beverage to refuel, we’ll need to know ahead of time where we can go in the wee hours of the morning and get a pint of ice cream what we need. Well, if you live in any of the major cities (NYC, Chicago, Seattle, LA, San Fran., PHX, Austin, DC and Miami) the legwork has been done for you. This website will tell you anything and everything that is open 24 hours so you don’t have to waste precious time driving/Subwaying/walking around looking for “some place that serves bread sticks in this effing town.”

3. Leggings:
Asking us to put on real clothes during finals is just not a plausible request. Chances are after being up all night studying or writing papers we will wake up in just enough time to roll out of bed and sprint to class. To make it easier on ourselves, everyone should invest in a pair of leggings (I’m obsessed with these). Yeah, I never thought I’d say that either, but they truly are the perfect finals attire; they are comfortable to study/sleep in during that all-nighter, but still socially acceptable (with a long top, at least) to wear in public. Done and done.

4. The right source of caffeine:
As much as I love coffee and Red bull, that’s not going to cut it when it comes to finals. In about a week or so we will all be running on empty, with 2 hours of sleep under our belts. To combat this sort of sleep deficiency, we need tea. Namely Cinnamon Apple Spice and Vanilla Almond tea. It’s much healthier than for you than Starbucks, it’s still got the caffeine we need and these fun flavors don’t taste like icky booty like some of those unflavored teas do.

5. Brain Foods:
There’s something about finals that just triggers our body to crave the most fattening foods we can get our hands on. Resist this urge! Not only will this leave your notebook greasy and smelling like french fries (wait…maybe that’s not such a bad thing), these foods make you sluggish and slow your brain down. Instead we need to have healthy snacks on hand that will keep us energized and focused. Some of the best study foods are grapes, nuts, yogurt, granola, popcorn, low fat cheese, whole wheat breads or crackers and cottage cheese. Luckily, all things you can – er – borrow from the cafeteria next time you’re dining.

What other tips do you guys have for making it through finals?