This isn't so much to stay alert, but to stay awake. It's something I learned drivingmy long (500 mile) road trips back home from school in Texas. It's pretty much impossible to fall asleep with food in your mouth. I think it's soem kind of survival response, since falling asleep with food in your mouth could be deadly. Doesn't matter what food it is (although gum doesn't work very well for me...it seems to need to be actual food). To a lesser degree it also keeps me alert. Something like an everlasting gobstopper might work in a stand...