Wednesday, 09 December 2009

• Gaming Friendly Food

  
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  So far, science supports the idea that gamers are, indeed, human. However, I do believe that gamers are a special kind of human. They're the kind that knows the true meaning of beating the final boss, having the highest kill count or that feeling of "Just one...more...turn!". It's that very understanding that makes it so hard for us to pull ourselves away from the screen every now and then to engage in other human activities.
  
  Perhaps the most important of those activities is eating. Just as an army marches on its stomach, gamers need fuel for their digital conquests. But gamers are a resourceful bunch. They've realized they have the ability to combine both mealtime and playtime into one unified, happy existence. So today, I'm dedicating this post to gaming friendly food and drink.
  
  First, some general rules.
  1. Gaming foods must not be excessively greasy, sticky, or messy. Otherwise your keyboard, mouse or controller would end up looking, feeling and smelling downright disgusting. A clean gamer is a happy gamer.
  2. They must fulfill at least some of your nutritional requirements. Why let yourself go when there are plenty of healthy choices?
  3. They must be foods that can be eaten without the use of utensils, to keep your hands free for fragging.
  
  Now, a few examples.
  
  

  
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  Food
  -The Sandwich: (Not to be confused with Sandvich from Team Fortress 2) What's better than two slices of bread, some thinly sliced meat and cheese, a vegetable and your favorite condiment? It's easy to prepare, easy to eat, and so long as it's not a French Dip, the biggest mess you'll have is a few bread crumbs. If you're health conscious, always go for whole wheat bread.
  
  -The Hot Pocket: A frozen, self-contained monument to capitalist society, the Hot Pocket is a versatile gaming food. Preparation is as simple as two or three minutes in the microwave, and the little sleeve it gets cooked in makes one handed eating a total possibility. It might not be as healthy as a sandwich, but it'll do in a pinch.
  
  -Fruits and Vegetables: Now, now, kids. I know you must be thinking I'm some kind of old fart for saying this, but many fruits and vegetables make quick, excellent snacks. Anything that's easy to peel, like a banana, or simply ready to eat like an apple will work. On the vegetable side, baby carrots and cherry tomatoes could provide the perfect nutrient boost for your late night WoW sessions. Don't like veggies by themselves? Buy a little ranch dip.
  
  -Pretzels and Hummus: I love pretzels of all kinds, from the soft buttery kind you get at Wetzel's all the way to Snyder's big bags of crunchy sourdough ones. However, for gaming, you'll want to go with the latter. It's non-greasy and isn't constantly hemorrhaging little pieces of salt. Hummus is an acquired taste, I suppose, but I've found that outside of pita bread, pretzels are its perfect mate. The breadiness of pretzels mixes really well with the subtle flavor of spices and mashed chick peas.
  

  
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  Drink
  -Water: Without water, we'd all be dead within a few days. So, staying hydrated during marathon gaming sessions is incredibly important. I've heard too many stories about obsessed gamers dying because they neglected to get up for a drink of water or to eat something that it's scary. Get yourself a nice aluminum water bottle for Christmas and find the most convenient, filtered source of water to keep refilling from.
  
  -Tea: Gaming is a great way to pass time on a cold winter night, and nothing accompanies the warm feeling of reckless virtual slaughter like a good, hot cup of tea. I prefer it over coffee mostly because of the slightly lower caffeine content and lighter flavor, but also because of the inherent health benefits.
  
  -Beer: For those of you who are 'of age', having a drink while you battle the forces of evil isn't a bad idea at all, so long as it's done in moderation. Having a little bit of alcohol in your system helps to relax your body and mind, and many people I've talked to on this subject claim that their aim (especially in shooters) is often much better after they've had one or two of their favorite brews.
  
  What other gaming friendly foods are out there? What are some of your favorites?
  
  
  
  
  

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