Food, snacks, Step 1

[kdburton]

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Anyone know of some good meals that one can make that will last for upwards of 3-4 days without going bad, take as few ingrediants as possible to prepare, are as cheap as possible, and [get this] are also reasonably healthy and provide energy for long study hours? I can't study at my apartment because we don't have AC here (among other reasons), and as I ramp up the hours of studying for Step 1 I'm looking to pack lunch AND dinner and bring them to my study spot. I'll have a microwave and fridge available there if that helps. Also, the same goes for snacks if you have any ideas for healthy snacks that I can much on all day... I need some tips people! Currently I only know how to cook a few things, but I know I can learn how to make almost anything if I get some suggestions 😀

 

[Elfy]

OK, I'll bite 😀

Meat dish: Wiener Schnitzel. Beat/fluff a couple of eggs in a bowl, cut, wash and tenderize pork, coat each piece of meat in flour, egg, bread crumbs (then repeat), fry in pan with a few drops of olive oil until light brown, refrigerate, tastes delicious even when cold.

Side 1: Near East/New Orleans/Publix rice pilaf series (different flavors) brand depending on where you live, instructions on the box, pour, mix and boil while you study, refrigerate container, bring to study site along with yogurt containers, microwave rice, eat hot/spicy with cool/refreshing yogurt garnish.

Side 2: baby arugula/spring mix/iceberg lettuce prewashed (make your own dressing), coleslaw, beets, pickles, potato salad German-style, eat cold.

Dessert: apple or banana.

No junk food, no spoiled/wasted food, and no elaborate cooking.

 

[Murcielo]

Not sure about the studying part...above post seems reasonable, specially the not junk food.

During the day of the exam i can recommend (I believe is an important part for 8 hours of intense thinking..yes in the break you think hard!)

A power bar, equivalent 200-300 kcals for the long break.
Bitesize chocolates for every small break for fast brain sugar, endorphins whatever good mediators that make you happy that choc releases.
Sports drink for fast effective hydration
Energy drink for the caffeine (etc) boost after the 5th block to make it through the last sections.
Add any particular weakness you have that can survive locker room temp that might boost your attitude in case something goes wrong in aparticular block or just want a treat!

Enjoy

 

[Depakote]

I'm going to probably make and freeze a large pot of chili. That's a good meal, it's easy to cook, the ingredients aren't expensive and it stores/reheats well.

Another quick meal I've become fond of is a mix of pre-cooked chicken strips and uncle ben's ready rice packs. Easy microwave prep, but not the cheapest meal.

 

[Slide]

I'm making a huge batch of spaghetti during my studying this month. If you're on the cheap end, dirt-cheap pasta and generic spaghetti sauce are all you need. I, though, try to keep it healthier by using whole wheat pasta and adding lean ground beef, onions, mushrooms, and green peppers (all stir-fried together) to my generic spaghetti sauce. If you need to balance cost and healthiness/energy/time, just take out the vegetables.

I also make a lot of noodle soup and stir-fry dishes that may take me 45 min to make, but will sustain me for almost a week, but it takes practice to get it around the 45 min mark. I also foresee myself making a lot of turkey sandwiches/fruit salad in the future.

 

[Richspiders07]

mexican rice pork chops

Ingredients: Value pack of boneless pork chops, 1 onion, 2 bell peppers, 1 box of mexican style rice

dice up onions/peppers - put in a large bowl, add rice + water as stated on box, mix up.

place pork chops on bottom of a large baking pan, poor rice/pepper/onion mix over the top

cover w/ foil and bake at 350 until the water is absorbed / rice is cooked.

active cooking time = 10 min; can make 8+ meals for less than $10.

 

[kdburton]

Thanks for the responses so far everyone. I think I've already gotten a couple additions to my summer menu 😀

 

[Captopril]

Lean Cuisine microwave meals. Cost about $2 each, take 3 minutes to make, and actually taste decent.

 

[SnowTown]

i plan on bringing and eating some sushi, sashimi, and taco bell...

i work better while i'm projecting items out both of my main holes

 

[future_dr_house]

Lime tea and toast diet, or possibly folate enriched beer and hot dogs 😉

Actually, I will be keeping a crate of strawberries and bananas on hand and turkey sandwiches. I keep the bread separate from the meat and cheese so that I can toast the bread, I hate it when it gets soggy. I also bring some yogurt. Sandwich meat costs the most out of all of that but varies depending on the quality, I try not to skimp so that I'm not eating total crap.

 

[lantus99]

Some good ideas there! There's been a bunch of posts on this before but this one seems to be the most recent.

On exam day itself, I'm definitely staying off the caffeine! 2 weeks prior, I am dropping it b/c of the jitters and the thought of peeing during the block!

Ok definitely water for hydration : just a few sips every break (~5mins for each block and 20mins midway for the "lunch-extended" break) BUT

* I'm still looking for a good fast-medium acting carb source that won't cause a crash during the exam block. Fruits by themselves do this to me. Bananas aren't that bad though. Maybe trail mix?

Until now, I usually have potatoes or rice with meat and sauce for lunch/dinner and english muffins with scrambled eggs n' cheese in the morning. I wouldn't consider them food that I immediately "get back to work on with" since I usually break ~1 hour during the day for each of those meals, so I am doubtful I'd bring them to the test.

Some of my friends refueled every hour with glucose tabs (from the grocery store) and took about 10grams every break period, others ate 3-4 slices of bread in the AM with some crackers or mini-donuts during each break, staying away from the heavy protein and greasy fat and caffeine during the exam day itself. Shouldn't change eating habits too close to the test though!

Never tried the glucose tabs but it seems like a valid option to try after a good breakfast (muffin+eggs+cheese, juice) and right before-during a few practice tests for the day for test simulation.

 

[Depakote]

On exam day itself, I'm definitely staying off the caffeine! 2 weeks prior, I am dropping it b/c of the jitters and the thought of peeing during the block!

I gave up caffeine before and I'd give yourself a lot longer than 2 weeks if you're sure you want to go that route. Withdrawal headaches can be pretty nasty.