Food Essentials for Every College Dorm Room

When stocking your dorm room pantry, there are several things to keep in mind; storage space, convenience, nutrition and personal preference. Oh, and don’t forget that sometimes you just need a taste of home. Here are some ideas to help you create a shopping list to keep you fueled up for study and fun.

6 Types of Food for Every Dorm Room

This list is not a hierarchy, and these characteristics are not mutually exclusive: Familiar foods may also be a great source for carbohydrates, and breakfast foods can be convenient. These ideas can be applied to each student to find personalized food staples.

Water and Beverages

I can’t live without my morning coffee. I have to have a way to get my morning caffeine into my system quickly! Whether it’s coffee, green or herbal tea, juices or just lots of water, make sure you have access to plenty of water and any other beverages you love/need.

Comfort Food

When you’re stressed or just a little bit homesick, a taste of home can help. Check out the microwaveable individual portions of mac-n-cheese or mashed potatoes in the grocery’s refrigerated section for a quick comfort fix. I have found them near the lunch meat, in the fresh meat section or in a dedicated space for pre-made foods. For some people, some Apple Jacks or Frosted Flakes remind them of home; for others, a cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows give them warm, fuzzy feeling.

Quick Fixes

While sometimes not the most healthy choices, sometimes a microwaveable cup of soup, ramen noodles, individual cups of rice (look in the rice section), canned or dried fruit will fuel your brain and your body. Salty or sweet, a snack may be all you need to get your brain back to studying. Microwaveable popcorn or trail mix are easily storable snack foods that can tide you over until your next meal. Many grocery stores have pre-cut fruit in the produce section–healthy eating without the mess!

Breakfast

Yogurt, fresh fruit, microwaveable oatmeal, cereal, or an occasional Pop Tart can jumpstart your morning and are easy to keep on hand. Even if you have a meal plan, sometimes you just aren’t up to heading to the dining area. Look for pre-cooked bacon that you simply heat up in the microwave. Eggs are a good choice and, if you have a teeny-tiny refrigerator, you can buy just six eggs.

How about a smoothie or protein shake?

Snacks

Try and apple or banana with peanut or almond butter. String cheese or nuts can add some protein and fiber to your diet. A bag of baby carrots are a crunchy, healthy snack. Tortilla chips and salsa or hummus and pita chips are good choices.

Do you crave sweet over salty (or both together)? Try mug cakes, microwaveable Rice Krispie treats or trail mix. I love making microwave popcorn and adding some M&Ms for a salty, sweet treat.

The Grocery List

The secret to making a list is thinking about what YOU like. College dorm room space is limited, so you should buy what you will actually EAT. Whether you need a study snack, you don’t feel like leaving your room, you feel a bit under the weather and only a cup of chicken noodle soup will do, or you are hanging out with friends, stock your dorm room with quick fixes you love.