I Think, Therefore I’m Hungry
During one of our discussions about this, with a bowl of MnMs to pass around, a friend claimed that we use up more calories when we’re studying than during exercise, which accounts for the sense of starvation. We later found out this wasn’t true, and even if it was, I would much prefer to work out, because even exercise is easier than engineering. The thing about hunger pangs caused by study sessions is that they are very particular about the types of food that satisfies them. Surprisingly enough, they discriminate against healthy, wholesome food. The starvation cannot simply be countered with a piece of apple, or grapefruit that’s rich in antioxidants. No, I have yet to see a student take a breather from their cramming session with a bowl of salad. When I’ve exhausted my brain cells, I don’t even want good food. No satisfying bowl of noodle, not even a fresh piece of fish properly pan fried in frothy butter and oil. I want only the saltiest crispest potato chips, the ones that cause mouth ulcers if you eat too much of them too quickly. Not for me a good velvety piece of dark chocolate. Where’s a sugar-coated, cheap caramelly milk chocolate bar when you need one? It’s dodgy industrial food like these, the ones that make you feel dirty and ashamed of yourself afterwards, that provide precious fuel to lubricate the exhausted university undergraduate’s brain.