The Simple Guide: Foods to stock in your dorm or apartment

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Ever get stressed over what foods for your dorm room or apartment!!? I kinda feel ya there.

When I was in college, it was super important that I started the semester off with a clean slate.  This included ordering all the essentials I would need to get me through the semester.

Now luckily for me, I didn’t have to stress too hard about this because I stayed close to home. 

The college I went to offered me a full scholarship and then some, so of course, I couldn’t pass it up.

But this doesn’t mean I didn’t help my friends or even create my own personal meal plan during this time! 

Here are a few things to note: 

1. Make sure to purchase inexpensive food.  No need to waste tons of money on foods you end up throwing away
2. I typically opt for a low carb diet, so any snacks I indulge on would reflect that
3. Make sure you are getting WHOLE nutrient-dense foods.  The fewer ingredients the better! READ YOUR LABELS 
4. Opt for foods that will last more than just a few days. You don’t need the extra stress of having to go out every two days to get fresh food! 
5. Try to break any bad habits that will make meal prepping or healthy eating more difficult for you! Take a look at this Insanely Simple Guide to Breaking Bad Habits to get you started!

Foods for your dorm

Mini Fridge Essentials: 

CHEESE

So this is one of my FAVORITE foods in the whole while world. 

Cheese is awesome to keep because, it can last for a long time, and you can add it to so many dishes! Let’s not forget cheese comes in all shapes and sizes. 

LIKE HOW COOL?!

Honestly, cheese can fit anywhere 😉 Therefore, it’s one of the most convenient foods for your dorm or small apartment.

Eggs

Eggs last a long time ( a few weeks) and they literally go with everything and anything.  

They are the best breakfast meal and can even be eaten as a snack. 

Boil them, scrambled them, make them into an omelet or make some sort of quiche. 

Do whatever!! The world is your oyster! 

 Almond Milk

-perfect for adding to your coffee or hot chocolate 

Vegetables (choose pre-washed or pre-cut veggies) 

• Baby carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, and cauliflower florets all make for the perfect snack or side to a meal 
• You can add these to your eggs or any other meal you make 

For the Pantry 

Nuts and Seeds 

Nuts are a great addition to anyone’s diet.  They are non-perishable and they are super filling, not to mention great sources of protein and fats. 

During the workday when I feel super hungry but it’s too early for lunch, I make sure to have a handful of almonds to keep the hunger at bay.

HERE ARE SOME OF MAY FAVE SNACK PACKS OR FAVE NUTS (these will be the perfect foods for your dorm room every semester)

• Blue Diamond Raw Almonds (unsalted)
• DAVID Roasted and Salted Original Sunflower Seeds (keto friendly)

Canned Chicken or Tuna 

Fresh protein can get or petty expensive, so it’s nice to have protein that can stay good for a while.  Canned chicken and tuna, for example, can last for MONTHS. 

This may sound weird to some, but trust me, it’s delicious! 

How to make: Mix 1 can of chicken with 1Tbsp of light mayo, and top with some garlic powder, onion powder, and some salt. 

Protein Bars 

Okay, this is where you need to be careful.  There are soooo many brands out their that advertise themselves as being healthy when they actually are not too great for you *cough Cliff Bars* 

When picking out protein bars, it’s important to look at the carbs, sugars, and sugar alcohols.

I listed a few of my faves below:

• Rx bars 
  • Check out this variety pack from Amazon here.
• Health Warrior Chia Bars 
• Think (my new personal favorite) 
  • Here are my top choices:
    • the Brownie Crunch
    • the Chunky Peanut Butter
    • Chocolate Almond Brownie
• One Bars

Veggie Chips 

This does not mean you can snack on potato chips! I mean like actual veggies! 

These cans give you the crunch you need as well as some fiber! 

Pro Tip: Stick with non-starchy vegetable options like 

• beet chips
• kale chips 

Always look at the ingredients to make sure there are no bad additives. 

For the Freezer:

Frozen Veggies: 

OMG GUYS! Frozen vegetables are amazeballs!! They are easily microwaved and can make for the perfect stir fry. 

Pick non-starchy frozen veggies: 

• broccoli 
• carrots
• asparagus 
• spinach 
• cauliflower 

Stock up on ones you love the most! 

What to make: 

– Grease a pan with olive oil. Pour your broccoli in the pan, sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.  Sprinkle some cheese for taste 😉 

(If you don’t have all of those spices you can see Mrs. Dash or Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning.)

Frozen proteins: 

Frozen proteins are great to have for the same reason as frozen veggies.  It provides quick dinner options that are stress-free

• frozen shrimp 
• frozen chicken breast
• frozen patties (meat, turkey, chicken) 

Finding foods for your dorm or apartment doesn’t have to be super difficult.

I promise with a little bit of planning, you can find ways to stay healthy on a budget or small aparmtent 🙂