Managing Social Eating
Caffeine … what’s the buzz?
Caffeine is a mainstay for college students … especially during exam time. Here’s what you should know about caffeine before you drink that large skim latte each morning:
Caffeine has been around for centuries. Although you might not think of it as a drug, it belongs to a group of stimulants called xanthines. Most people choose to drink it because they are looking to “rev” the body. If it is your drug of choice, keep in mind that if you cross the line between enough and too much you might feel:
- anxious
- irritable
- jittery
- restless
- unable to concentrate
- hyper
- unable to focus
Your reaction to caffeine is a personal thing. What is excessive to some people will be moderate for others. If you’re not a habitual user, you may feel a buzz after a single cup of coffee; if you’re a five-cup-a day drinker, you may feel nothing at all.
Check out the caffeine content of your favorite food and drinks. If you feel the need to cut down, proceed slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and drowsiness.
Food |
Size |
|
Caffeine (mg) |
| Grande Coffee |
16 |
oz. |
550
|
| Tall Coffee |
12 |
oz. |
375 |
| Short Coffee |
8 |
oz. |
250 |
| Decaf Coffee |
8 | oz. |
5 |
| Coca-Cola |
12 |
oz. |
45 |
| Mountain Dew |
12 |
oz. |
55 |
| Tea, Brewed 3 min. |
8 |
oz. |
50 |
| Tea, Brewed 1 min. |
8 |
oz. |
25
|
| Bottled Iced Tea |
12 |
oz. |
50 |
| Hot Chocolate |
8 |
oz. |
5 |
| Chocolate Bar |
1 |
oz. |
6 |
| Chocolate Milk |
8 |
oz. |
5 |
| Red Bull |
8 |
oz. |
80 |
Can healthy eating and college life go together? Absolutely! Get the nutrition facts you need in the book Eating Well on Campus by Ann Litt, M.S., R.D., L.D.
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