I’d Rather Eat a Snack Than Be a Snack

By KENDALL GREGORY

Co-Sports Editor

There are very few things in this world that can beat a good snack.

In fact, the only thing that comes close is the nap that follows after I’ve snacked too hard. But the more I think about it, not even that is better than the act of snacking.

Let me put this into perspective for you: I am that girl who thinks about food 95 percent of the time I’m awake. My first concern at all times is when and where I’m going to eat next.

Growing up, I never used to snack much. I stuck to the basics and only ate three meals a day. My mom always told me that if I snacked after school, then I wouldn’t eat my dinner.

Everyone knows what happens when you don’t eat your dinner . . . yep, you get no dessert. So for most of my young life, I strayed away from all the temptations to snack after school.

I remember the first time I managed to sneak in a snack before dinner. I think I was in seventh grade, and for some reason my babysitter had put me in a timeout. She sat me in a living room chair and told me not to move for 15 minutes while she tried to get my sister to take a bath.

My mom had made brownies the night before and there were still a few in the kitchen, so I decided to get up as quietly as possible, do a quick dash to the kitchen, steal a brownie, shove it in my mouth, and run back to that chair.

That was the first time I successfully snacked and since then my life hasn’t been the same.

My style of snacking has definitely developed over the years. It has gone from occasionally grabbing a small bag of pretzels to a full on, scheduled daily activity. However, the food isn’t the only factor that makes snack time what it is—it’s all about the set-up.

On an ideal day, I’ll come back from a day of classes and unwind by enjoying a snack before starting homework or working on projects for my clubs.

My personal favorite combination includes a bag of Cheez-Its, a can of Diet Coke, and whatever show I’m currently watching on Netflix.

Unfortunately, all good things in life come with some negatives. My mom has seen how my snacking has evolved and always tries to reprimand me for it and change my ways.

She tells me to balance out my snacking habits by at least throwing some fruits and veggies into the mix, and asks things like  “Kendall, have you been snacking a lot lately?”

The biggest advice I can give to a fellow snacker is to never, ever let anyone tell you how to snack. Don’t let them tell you should cut back. Live your life the way you want to! If that means chilling out while munching on some chips, then so be it. If I’ve learned anything, it’s to not let people interfere with the things that make you happy.

Snacking has become a way of life for me and there is definitely no turning back now.