Healthy Food Staples for College

When leaving for my first year of college, I thought I knew everything I was going to need when living on my own for the first time. I figured I had seen enough college dorm hauls on YouTube to know exactly what I needed. I showed up to Target, and I couldn't have been more lost. I knew I needed snacks for my dorm room (for those late night midterm cram sessions), but I had no idea what to buy. I was torn between the produce aisle, and the ramen noodle aisle. After trial and error, I have a list of staple foods that will last in a dorm room, while still being moderate in calories (and $$$).

To start off, I highly recommend renting or buying a mini fridge for your dorm room if possible. I also suggest keeping water bottles in your room, rather than soda and sports drinks, and keeping a reusable water bottle on you at all times. You can refill it around campus.

1. Oatmeal

The prepackaged steel-cut oats are cheap and easy to make before those pesky early morning classes that we all dread.

2. Almond Milk

Almond milk can be used in cereal, oatmeal, coffee, etc. It has a long shelf life compared to dairy milk, and is much healthier for your body (as well as lower in calories).

3. Tortilla Chips

These are perfect to snack on by themselves or to enjoy with the next item on this list. They are a good alternative to potato chips, and you can get different kinds. My favorite are the blue tortilla chips from Target. If tortilla chips aren't your fancy, I also like having pretzel crisps or Ritz crackers.

4. Guacamole

The perfect sidekick to the previously mentioned tortilla chips. If you don't prefer guacamole, salsa is another sustainable and healthy option.

5. Rice Cakes

These are simple and tasty alternatives to unhealthy snacks. They can be made with many different combinations, such as peanut butter and bananas. When paired correctly, they can fill you up and keep you full for your long class days.

6. Peanut Butter (or nut butter)

Nut butters enhance any snack. I enjoy pairing them with apples, Ritz crackers, or rice cakes.

7. Coffee & Creamer

It's no secret that coffee is essential in college. If you're not a coffee person now, you will be once you get to college. There are so many flavors you can make in a Keurig in your dorm room, and it is much cheaper than going to Starbucks every morning.

I'm not much of a black coffee drinker, so I prefer putting almond milk and creamer in my cuppa. My favorite creamer is the CoffeeMate almond milk vanilla creamer. 12/10 recommend.

8. Nutrition (Energy) Bars

I live off of Clif Bars. They are easy to take on your way to class, and can keep you full for a decent amount of time until you can get to the dining court or your favorite take-out cafe. There are so many different brands and flavors, too, such as Clif, Kind, Lara, or granola bars!

9. Fruit

Fruit isn't the most sustainable item on this list, but it keeps for quite some time even in a dorm room. I prefer to have apples, oranges (or cuties), green grapes, and bananas. If you're like me and you're not able to get to a grocery store, most college dining courts

allow you to take a piece of fruit with you.

10. Nuts

Nuts provide healthy fats and help keep you satisfied and full, especially when paired with a piece of fruit. My favorite are salted cashews.

11. Microwavable Foods

Ramen is the most stereotypical college food. While it is tasty, it is best to keep it in moderation due to the high sodium and questionable ingredients. There are many other options that are slightly healthier- mac 'n cheese cups and pizza rolls for example.

These may not be the healthiest options but hey, you have to indulge every once in a while ;)

Comment down below some of your favorite dorm-friendly foods!