Healthy Snacks From CVS to Stock in Your Dorm Room
Your Ultimate Guide to Dorm Room Snacking
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There's a lot going on when it comes to college life: the days are long, and the requirements are unforgiving. Sometimes you're lucky to even eat at all. Balanced meals are few and far between, and the concept of breakfast quickly becomes a foreign one, so prioritizing nutritious food and healthy snacks often falls to the bottom of your to-do list, if it's even on there at all. Moreover, the limited space in dorm rooms makes it difficult to store and cook your own meals, so you're often left at the mercy of the dining hall or the rare but treasured off-campus friend.
This doesn't mean you can't incorporate some nutritious bites into your on-campus diet. You just have to get a little strategic and creative with your food selections. Thankfully, CVS has it all: the grab-and-go bars, high-protein options, and sweet treats you need to move healthy snacking to the top of that to-do list.
Popcorn
Well Market Sea Salt Popcorn ($3)
Balanced snacks are the lifeblood of a sustainable college diet, and this sea salt popcorn does it all. In addition to being gluten-free, it's an excellent source of fiber. As far as taste is concerned, flaky sea salt gives the popcorn a flavor boost to satisfy those snack-y cravings.
Edamame
Gold Emblem Abound Dry Roasted Sea Salt Edamame ($3)
It can be hard to get enough protein while living on a college campus, but quick snacks like roasted edamame are a great way to bridge that gap. Each serving has 14 grams of protein.
Chickpea Crisps
Biena Thins Sea Salt ($5)
Getting a full serving of vegetables while navigating exams and social outings can seem like an impossible ask. But it doesn't have to be. Made with chickpeas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas, these thin crisps are a good-for-you alternative to chips and crackers, making them the ultimate multipurpose snack.
Beef Jerky
Gold Emblem Hand-Crafted Beef Jerky, Korean BBQ Flavor ($15)
Korean barbecue on the go? Absolutely. This high-protein gem has the snacking ease of beef jerky with the complex flavor profile of classic Korean BBQ. Each serving contains 10 grams of protein for a quality treat that satisfies.
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Well Market Coated Micro Pretzels ($2)
Do you find yourself wanting something sweet after a meal, but don't want to commit to a full-on dessert? If so, these chocolate-covered pretzels will be your sweet tooth's saving grace this semester. They're not just delicious, they're also a good source of iron.
Coffee Beverage
Kitu Super Coffee Enhanced Coffee Beverage ($4)
A pick-me-up in a bottle, this sweet and creamy coffee drink is more than meets the eye. In addition to the vanilla taste, the beverage contains whey protein and MCT oil to provide sustained energy, making it the ultimate super drink. Fun fact: the idea for the beverage started in a dorm room!
Pita Chips
Well Market Everything Bagel Seasoned Pita Chips ($5)
Let's be real: the best part of a bagel is that yummy mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and dried garlic baked on top. These seasoned pita chips capture the flavorful quintessence of a bagel with no toaster needed.
Protein Bar
Mezcla Matcha Vanilla Bar with Pea Protein ($3)
Protein bars don't have to be basic. This matcha vanilla bar is proof. Made with pea protein and matcha sourced from Japan, this crispy puff bar contains 10 grams of protein and a delicious flavor pairing that satisfies your sweet tooth.
Freeze-Dried Strawberries
Well Market Unsweetened Freeze-Dried Strawberries ($5)
Storing and eating fresh fruit before it spoils can be tricky in even the most ideal of settings, but a dorm room, it's a whole other story. Dried fruit like these freeze-dried strawberries is a great way to make sure you're getting in some vitamin C without having to harbor a small army of fruit flies.
Muffin Bars
Nature Valley Soft-Baked Muffin Bars ($6)
Nothing beats a baked good in the morning, and while you may not have regular access to an oven living in a dorm, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the occasional muffin-esque treat. These soft-baked muffin bars are made with real fruit and whole grains, and the soft texture is more reminiscent of a baked good than a traditional granola bar. Also, their individual wrapping makes them great for breakfast on the go. No pre-heat required.
Cereal
Seven Sundays Maple Sea Salt Grain Free Sunflower Cereal ($9)
Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. But sometimes it can be difficult to sit down for a bowl of cereal and milk before rushing off to class. This maple sea salt cereal is tasty with and without milk, making it a great quick-breakfast option for those days when you hit the snooze button one too many times.
