It’s 10 a.m. on Saturday, you’ve just woken up and you realize you missed breakfast. It’s 9 p.m. on a weeknight and your stomach starts growling as you head into your late night studying. It’s 7:50 a.m. on Monday and if you don’t leave your dorm room now you are sure to be late to class.
Whatever the scenario we’ve all found ourselves in situations where we wish we had something to eat but couldn’t make it to the dining hall. It’s during those times that you will wish you had something quick, easy, and relatively cheap to eat from the comfort of your own dorm room. Check out this list of 10 foods you should keep on hand!
- Tortilla chips and shredded cheese. It’s hard to go wrong here. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on some tortilla chips, zap it in a microwave for 30 seconds and voila! Cheesy nachos. Perfect for a movie night or late night studying.
- Granola bars. We’ve all overslept. If you’re running late to class you probably won’t have time to stop in the dining hall to grab something to eat. Instead, keep granola bars handy as a grab-and-go option for rushed mornings.
- Popcorn. This is a given. Keep some popcorn on hand as something to munch on. Just be sure to keep an eye on it. The fire alarms are easily set off by burnt popcorn.
- Fresh fruit. Sometimes you’re in the mood for a healthier snack option. On your way out of the dining hall be sure to grab a piece of hand fruit to keep in your room for when you need something to eat later in the day.
- Peanut butter or Nutella. They each go well with everything. Cookies, popcorn (yes popcorn), rice cakes, bananas, apples. The options are endless.
- Ramen. This classic dorm room food and for good reason. It’s quick, easy to make, and dirt cheap. Whether you missed dinner or just need a late night snack, pop a packet of Ramen in the microwave for instant noodles!
- Instant Oatmeal. A bit more substantial than a granola bar, instant oatmeal can be a full meal. Heat some water and pour over the oats. It’s quick and you can find oatmeal packets in a variety of flavors.
- Trail mix. If you’re looking for an option to bring to the library that doesn’t draw attention due to smell or sound (i.e. crunchy popcorn), consider some trail mix. You can buy it in bulk. Keep some plastic bags in your room so that you can portion out a serving to take on-the-go. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty.
- Pop-tarts. If you need a taste of your childhood, keep a box of pop-tarts in your room. They’re a good “anytime” option.
- Cereal. Dry or with milk, cereal is a good option for a meal or a snack. You can dig in for a handful on the run or curl up with a bowl on your while watching TV.
These essentials should get you off to a great start! Don’t be caught with a growling stomach and no food to eat. Be sure to keep a food stash well stocked during the semester.
