Healthy Food For College Dorms
10 Basic Staples You Should Always Keep in Your Dorm Mini Fridge
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You've got your closet organizers, your under-bed storage, your new bedding, and all your favorite pictures printed: your dorm is set. But have you stocked your mini fridge?
College is typically the first time you get to make all your own dietary choices (whoo, no parents!), and while unlimited pizza in the dining halls is an alluring option (we've all been there), you want to make sure your dorm and fridge are stocked with some healthy staples — read: no Top Ramen. This way, you'll be able to snack smarter, stay fuller, fuel your body better, and be your healthiest self.
Cheese
This satisfying snack has a great shelf life in your refrigerator (you know what they say about cheese getting better with age), and it's high in satiating protein, meaning you won't have the desire to snack as much later. Mozzarella sticks and single-serve cheeses like Babybel are great options.
Mini-Babybel Cheese ($4)
Jerky
Like we talked about with the cheese: protein = feeling fuller for longer. Find a jerky or jerky bar that you love to give yourself a superhigh dose of protein on the go, without excess fats or carbohydrates.
Caveman Foods Chicken Primal Bars ($30 for 12)
Fruit
Curb a sweet tooth the healthy way with a fresh piece of fruit, or a packaged whole fruit snack (like an apple sauce or something like this hybrid blend from Dole). The packaged snacks will have a slightly longer shelf life, so if you're not going through your snacks super quickly, you won't end up with moldy bananas and squishy apples.
Dole Mixations ($3)
Milk
Whether you drink dairy or prefer an almond or coconut milk, this is a staple you'll want in your dorm. Whether it's for your coffee, your oats, or your cereal, having some kind of milk or dairy alternative is a mini-fridge essential. Bonus: if you're buying a nut or plant-based milk, you'll have the luxury of buying in bulk without needing to refrigerate any unopened cartons.
Oats
One of the fastest, healthiest foods you can have on hand: oats. Quick-cooking steel-cut oats are gluten-free, high in fiber, and will make a great breakfast, snack, or dessert, depending on how you make them. Even if you have nothing special in your dorm, some hot water will help cook these up for a plain bowl.
Bars
Whether you like Clif or Luna Bars, Lara Bars, Perfect Bars, or RXBars, they're a safe bet to have on hand in bulk in your dorm. These on-the-go snacks are packed with nutrients and protein to keep you full until after class, and you can easily toss them in your purse, backpack, or gym bag.
RXBar Pumpkin Spice ($26 for 12)
Hummus
Forget the chips and dip; if you're on a healthy kick in college, hummus and veggie sticks are the way to go. Chickpeas have the right balance of fiber, protein, and carbs to keep you satisfied, while the fiber helps with digestion. Plus, it's a gluten-free, lower-fat alternative to store-bought chip dips.
Sabra Classic Hummus ($3)
Nut Butter
On bananas, layered into your oats, or on a piece of toast, nut butter is a satisfying way to curb hunger and sugar cravings. It's loaded with healthy fats and good-for-you vitamins and minerals, making it healthy and filling to keep you from overeating.
Bread
Don't fear carbohydrates! Choose a seedy, fiber-full, whole wheat, vitamin-rich bread to serve as a blank canvas for your nut butter toasts, avocado toasts, and sandwiches.
