Coding can be tiring.
There are moments of unmeasurable joy mixed in between moments of confusion, and as a result, feelings of fatigue. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to what you’re eating while you code — what you put in your body could mean the difference between perfect source code or a choppy line full of errors.
Give these snacks a try next time you find yourself yawning at your computer.
Jerky
Jerky contains large amounts of protein, which is mostly beneficial for physical activity but can be useful if you’re up all night on an exceptionally difficult coding project. If you want a healthy option, choose turkey jerky instead of beef.
Blueberries
Blueberries are considered a major brain food because the antioxidants they contain help keep your memory working. If you have a hard time remembering things, maybe you should eat more blueberries.
Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
It’s best to save the coffee for when you start hitting your late teens, but it doesn’t mean you can’t munch on little boosts of caffeine. Espresso beans will keep you awake, while the dark chocolate will do wonders for your memory and your mood.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is one of those snacks you don’t have to think about while you’re eating, you just keep scooping more into your hand as you stare at the screen. You can buy trail mix pre-made but you can also just customize a mix yourself by using your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate.
Peanuts
Peanuts are another snack that you can go to town on and not even realize it; but have no worries. Peanuts contain natural oils, fats, and protein your body needs so you don’t have to feel bad about overindulging.
Banana Chips
Bananas are full of vitamins and minerals essential for healthy brain function, and chips are delicious. Combine the two and what do you get? A snack that will keep you coding and full.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds contain B vitamins that affect your mood and your brain’s cognitive functions. If you want to avoid the messy shells, you can also just purchase sunflower kernels.
Granola
Along with protein and vitamins, your body also needs a certain amount of carbs a day. Granola is an excellent source of both carbohydrates and fiber necessary for storing energy and keeping away sugar crashes, plus it usually comes in a variety of flavors.
Oh, and one more thing…
Be sure to always hydrate before, during, and after you’re working on a coding project. Remember, even though you’re not outside, you need to stay hydrated. When a dehydrated person meets a bright screen with small letters scrolling up and down, the results are never good. You’ll also want to make sure you get 8 hours of sleep each night so that you can tackle the coding challenges that await you at the keyboard!
