TOP OF THE HILL 2010 7 BEST ITALIAN 1st — Paisano's 2112 W.25th St. 3rd — Teller's 746 Massachusetts St. What do you think? BY ALLISON BOND WHERE DO YOU TAKE YOUR FAMILY OUT TO EAT WHEN THEY VISIT? KELLI HAMMAN Andover junior "Longhorn Steakhouse because it is expensive and I can't afford it on my own." ERIC SADER Lawrence graduate student "People don't visit me." ELIZABETH FILKINS Frederick, Maryland, senior "India Palace. Our family really likes exotic food and it's the best in town." KELSEY SMITH Overland Park freshn Overland Park freshman "We used to go to Schlotzsky's. Now we are trying to find another really good sandwich place." BEST PIZZA 1st — Pizza Shuttle 1601 W. 23rd St. 2nd Papa Keno's 1035 Massachusetts St 3rd — Pyramid Pizza Multiple Locations THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3rd — Wheat State 711 W.23rd St. MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2010 Berry Wang Experts deem energy-filled snacks beneficial for finals Instead of sugar-heavy foods, experts say to grab for protein and carbohydrated-filled snacks. Foods like cheese and crackers can help keep you more awake and alert for studying. Evan Palmer/KANSAN BY JUSTINE PATTON jpatton@kansan.com Finals Week and late-night studying often go hand-in-hand. There are some nighttime snacks that will actually help sleep-deprived students study hard late into the night — and others that will only make them wish for bedtime. Ann Chapman, the dietitian at the Wellness Resource Center at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said students are tempted to snack during stressful times, especially finals week, because food can be soothing. "How do you feel when you put a Hershey's Kiss in your mouth? It's instant gratification." Chapman said. "All the measures of stress are reduced slightly." However, Patty Quinlan, the nursing supervisor at Watkins, said foods high in sugar and fat are the last thing students should be eating while studying. Quinlan said the fast foods and comfort food students often turn to would only slow them down. Instead, Chapman suggested munching on foods high in protein and carbohydrates, like cheese and crackers. Chapman said the carbohydrates in the crackers would boost blood sugar quickly and give students a little burst of energy. The body breaks carbohydrates down quickly, which is where the cheese comes into play. The protein in cheese takes longer to digest, so it's going to provide students with energy for about three to four hours. "That cookie, that doughnut, they're just not helpful to push through finals week," Quinlan said. "They're going to make you feel more lethargie and decrease your concentration." gy for about three to four hours. Barbara Bell a sophomore from Lancaster, Texas, said she usually doesn't eat when she is stressed. "Just like a car needs gasoline, the body needs glucose," Chapman said. "Your glucose level drops below what it needs to be if you go without food for three to four hours." "I guess I do the opposite of everyone else," Bell said. However, Chapman suggested students put food in their systems about every four hours. "Studies prove that students in the classroom perform better when they've had breakfast." Denning said. "If you're going to spend all this time and effort, I think it's worth setting your alarm 10 to 15 minutes early to get a healthy breakfast." Patricia Denning, the chief of staff at Watkins, said breakfast was especially important during finals week. Chapman warned students to avoid "stress-eating" while they study. Chapman said students often Chapman said when students snack during finals week, they should take a break from studying and simply focus on the food they're eating. Then, when they go back to studying, they can concentrate and won't be shoveling in extra calories in the process. If students do find that they can't study without eating, Chapman recommended they leave their apartment and go to the library, so food would be out of sight and out of mind. She suggested students take a 100-calorie snack with them in case they do get hungry. "Students often eat while they're studying because they're nervous about flunking exams," Chapman said. "So then they eat constantly, which is really unhealthy. Those are calories you don't need." eat as a means of procrastination or stress relief. Edited by Leslie Kinsman Local band will compete Energy-boosting snacks The Louisiana Street Band will compete for recording time in Los Angeles January 15. - Low fat string cheese with seven Triscuits - 8 oz. yogurt with 1/2 cup cereal MEN'S BASKETBALL | 1B -100-calorie snack pack of nuts or popcorn Defense is weakness MUSIC | 6A - Hot cocoa and six vanilla wafers - One cup of whole grain cereal with one cup of low-fat milk - Bill Self points out the defense as the basekball team's weakness. The team will be tested in tonight's game against Memphis. - Half of a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter Malott scare quickly addressed CAMPUS | 6A Classifieds...8A Crossword...4A Cryptoquips...4A Opinion...5A Sports...1B Sudoku...4A INDEX WEATHER TODAY 3818 Partly Cloudy WEDNESDAY 4827 THURSDAY Sunny 5527 AM Clouds/ PM Sun AM Clouds/ PM Sun weather.com All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2010 The University Daily Kansan ---