Whether your favorite game is Minecraft, DOTA, or Fortnite, during a heavy gaming session, at some point, you’re going to need to eat. But what are the best, mess-free gamer foods? And are any of them actually nutritious?
Eating gamer foods regularly keeps hunger at bay and prevents your blood sugar from dipping too low. It also increases your game performance by making sure your concentration doesn’t take a hit due to hunger.
The question is: What are good snacks to have while gaming?
Ideally, snacks for gaming should be food that you can eat quickly, without needing to look away from the screen, and without getting your controller sticky. They should also be tasty and nutritious – and able to sustain you for an all-night gaming session.
Finding a snack with all these attributes can be challenging, so that’s why we’re here to suggest the best no-fuss gamer foods. But before we get into our favorite gamer foods, let’s discuss what constitutes a good or bad snack for gaming.
What makes a good or bad gamer snack
The right gamer foods will give you sustained energy without making you feel sluggish, so it’s important to know about good snacks to have while gaming.
There are a few things to consider when choosing snacks, such as whether they’re easy to prepare and eat, are packed full of nutrients, and are a good source of energy.
Reach for protein
Protein is best for prolonged energy because it takes longer to digest than other nutrients, meaning that it provides a slow and steady stream of energy to the body. This is important if you want your gamer foods to tide you over for hours on end.
Protein is important for gamers because it provides the energy needed to sustain long periods of mental focus and concentration. Gaming requires quick reflexes and split-second decisions, so having a steady supply of energy is crucial for success.
Protein also helps to repair and rebuild muscle tissue after intense sessions of gaming, meaning that gamers can recover more quickly. This is why so many supplements for endurance athletes are protein-based.
Keep your carbs complex
When it comes to snacks for gaming, carbohydrates are better than sugars. Not only are they healthier for you, they also are broken down more slowly, providing a steadier stream of energy.
Sugar is quickly broken down and absorbed by the body, leading to spikes in blood sugar levels that can lead to feelings of fatigue and low energy (exactly what you DON’T want when gaming).
Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains or sweet potato fries rather than simple carbs like sugar, syrups, or fruit juice. While these don’t give you the prolonged energy that protein does, they will give you a quick energy boost to get you going while the protein kicks in.
Find a source of caffeine
When gamer foods alone are not enough, you’re going to need caffeine. Caffeine is important for gamers because it helps to improve mental alertness and focus. Caffeine also increases reaction time and reduces fatigue, so you can play for longer periods without getting tired.
Even the best snacks for all night gaming will not cut it if you’re truly pulling an all-nighter. You can eat a balanced diet of gamer foods consisting of all the right things to keep your energy levels high, but ultimately you will still feel sleepy unless you drink a few caffeinated beverages.
Bear in mind that, healthwise, you are better off simply eating the best snacks for all night gaming. Drinking a bunch of caffeinated beverages each night is certainly not good for you, so if you do decide to drink caffeine to stay awake all night, only do this a couple of times a month.
Of course, not all sources of caffeine are created equal. While Red Bull, Mountain Dew, Monster, Coca-Cola, and coffee are all popular among gamers, not all of them are the best for your health.
Energy drinks and caffeinated sodas may give you a quick hit of energy, but they are detrimental to your health in the long run because of the high sugar content. Coffee is usually a better source of caffeine, as you can monitor the sugar levels – or drink it without sugar at all!
Just as important as understanding good snacks to have while gaming is knowing which snacks you should avoid. For best results, you should avoid eating too many foods that are high in sugar or calories.
That means the gamer staples of chips, cup noodles, and candy are NOT your best options. Let’s look at why these tasty treats should be avoided when looking for the best gamer foods.
Avoid excess sugar
In general, you should avoid snacks for gaming that are too high in sugar. As we mentioned before, sugar will give you a sudden burst of energy, but that energy will crash just as quickly, leaving you unable to concentrate well on your game.
And, if you continue eating sugar over a long period of time, it can affect your blood sugar levels semi-permanently or even permanently.
While having the odd gummy bear or donut is not a bad thing, if you consume sugary foods on a regular basis, your performance and health can be seriously affected.
Be aware of your calorie count
A lot of snacks that people eat while gaming are high in calories. This is because they tend to be processed and full of unhealthy ingredients. If you eat too many high-calorie snacks while gaming, it can lead to weight gain.
This extra weight can then make you feel sluggish and can impact your gaming skills.
It’s not just weight gain that can make you feel sluggish, but eating too much in general. When your stomach is full, blood flow slows down and routes to your digestive system instead of your brain. This can make you feel tired and may affect your concentration levels – which is the opposite of what we are going for.
So now that you know some gamer foods to steer clear of, let’s talk about which snacks will keep you on top of your game.
Our favorite gamer foods for all night gaming
Here are the best snacks for all night gaming, to keep your energy – and your scores – high.
Trail mix
The first item on our list of gamer foods has to be trail mix. This is a great all-arounder as it’s full of energy-boosting ingredients like nuts and dried fruits, which will keep you going for hours. You can make your own trail mix with your favorite ingredients, or buy a pre-made mix from the store.
String cheese
String cheese is one of the simplest snacks for gamers. Cheese is full of protein and fats that provide a slow and steady stream of energy to sustain long periods of concentration. It’s an easy mess-free and fuss-free option.
Whole grain crackers
Whole grain crackers are another great option for gamer foods. Crackers made with whole grains are full of fiber and complex carbohydrates, which will give you sustained energy levels throughout your gaming session.
Pair them with some cheese or peanut butter for an extra protein boost.
Celery sticks
For a healthy and refreshing snack while gaming, look no further than celery sticks. Celery is packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as being low in calories, making it the perfect snack for gamers.
Eating celery sticks with some peanut butter or cream cheese will give you an extra energy boost from the protein.
Nuts
Nuts are another great option for gamer foods because they are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They are easy to grab by the handful without taking your eyes off the screen, and they are a good source of prolonged energy to help you stay focused while gaming.
This makes nuts a solid option if you’re looking for a quick snack that will keep you fuller for longer.
Sushi
If you’re looking for a more substantial snack while gaming, sushi is a great option. Sushi is healthy and easy to eat, making it perfect for gaming. It’s also a good source of protein if you are getting sushi that contains fish or seafood.
Beef jerky
Beef jerky is a popular snack for gamers because it provides a high-protein, low-fat source of energy that can help to sustain long gaming sessions.
Jerky is also easy to eat on the go and does not require any preparation, making it an ideal snack for gamers who want to keep their energy levels up without taking a break from their game.
Meat skewers
If you’re looking for more hearty gamer foods, meat skewers may be the snack for you. They’re easy to eat and full of protein and healthy fats. Just be careful not to eat too many, as they can be high in calories.
Frozen grapes
For a refreshing and healthy snack while gaming, frozen grapes are a fine choice. Grapes are packed full of antioxidants and are a good source of energy, which will help you stay focused while gaming.
Frozen grapes are also a good way to stay hydrated while gaming. Just be careful to moderate how many you are eating, so you don’t need as many trips to the bathroom.
Dried fruits
Dried fruits are another excellent option for gamer foods. They’re packed full of nutrients and are a good source of energy, but can also be high in sugar, so eat them in moderation.
Try eating dried fruits in conjunction with protein, which will help keep your sugar levels balanced.
Chicken nuggets
Need more high-protein gamer foods? Chicken nuggets are a great snack for gamers. They are full of protein, easy to eat, and tasty to boot.
Edamame
Looking for high-protein gamer foods that are vegetarian or vegan-friendly? Edamame might be the answer. Edamame is a good food for gamers to eat because it is high in soy protein.
Edamame also contains complex carbohydrates that are slowly absorbed by the body. This is important for gamers because they need to be able to maintain their focus and concentration for long periods of time.
Collagen protein
Last, but certainly not least, is collagen protein. Collagen supplements come in many forms, from pill to powder to liquid. This simple ingredient is a secret weapon for gamers.
Why?
Collagen protein is what your body uses to heal and prevent injuries, making it the perfect injury prevention tool against a gamer’s worst enemies – carpal tunnel and tendonitis.
And, if you find the right supplement, you can also get a quick dose of the two things every serious gamer needs: protein and caffeine. That’s right, some collagen supplements come with caffeine added in, and that combination of caffeine and collagen will give you the perfect sustained boost of energy to get you through your gaming session.
When looking for a collagen supplement, you want to consider a few things. You want to ensure there are no added sugars or preservatives, that the collagen is easy to take, and that it is easy to digest.
The most easily digestible form of collagen is hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen peptides. This means the collagen has undergone a chemical process to break the molecules down into smaller, more bioavailable pieces.
And, if you want to ensure you are getting the most energy out of your collagen supplement, you need to make sure it is a complete protein as well. What is the difference between complete and incomplete proteins?
A complete protein contains all the essential amino acids you need to build proteins in your body. An incomplete protein does not have all of the amino acids, which means you need to get them elsewhere in your diet for the protein to be truly effective.
Collagen on its own is not a complete protein, so it’s important to find a supplement that has been rounded out with the necessary amino acids – like Frog Fuel Ultra.
Frog Fuel Ultra: the best gaming fuel
If you’re interested in getting an edge over your opponents, check out Frog Fuel Ultra liquid protein shots. This collagen supplement is nano-hydrolyzed for easy absorption in just 15 minutes or less.
Frog Fuel is also fortified with amino acids to make it a complete protein, contains 80mg of caffeine for an added energy boost, and comes in a convenient single-serve pouch that you can toss back without missing a beat.
When it comes to the most convenient, hard-working, and swift gamer foods out there – FrogFuel liquid collagen protein can’t be beat.
