Dorm Food 101

College is full of new things; new friends, new classes, new found independence and new responsibilities. There are also some new additions that incoming freshmen might want to avoid. New pounds, or the freshmen fifteen, to be exact. Late night snacking is easy to come by in college, especially with restaurants delivering to dorm rooms and campus apartments at all hours. But there are ways to avoid packing on those pounds and with a few easy tips you can save money, eat healthy and go home for winter break without anything extra!

Follow these tips for a nutritious and healthy semester that will fit into your time, space and budget constraints.

Lesson 1: Avoid eating out by making your own nutritious meals
Consult your school’s housing paperwork closely to determine what food preparation tools are allowed. Check on the availability and acceptance of:

• Hot pots
• Slow cookers
• Microwaves
• Refrigerators
• Blenders

Lesson 2: Consult your surroundings
What are the eating options around campus? Are there lots of different choices or one cafeteria? What is the campus setting – is there a grocery store nearby? Is there a communal kitchen? How much room is there to store extra food in the dorm? All of these questions will determine your game plan.

Lesson 3: Make your shopping list
Your assessment of the food situation will determine exactly what options are the best to buy, but here are some common options for healthy choices:

• Peanut butter: make PB&J sandwiches, add to fruit or eat by itself for an added protein boost
• Precooked diced chicken: already fully cooked – just defrost to add to soups, ramen, mac and cheese, or to make an easy chicken salad
• Light microwave popcorn
• Low sugar fruit juice and bottled water
• Fresh fruit: apples and oranges will keep for a long time at room temperature
• Cereal and instant oatmeal
• Trail mix
• Spices and hot sauce: to turn ordinary dorm and cafeteria creations into something a little more special
• Storage containers and Ziploc bags
• Yogurt: great for breakfast, dessert, a snack, or as an ingredient in smoothies

Extra Credit

There’s something to be said for a good old-fashioned home cooked meal. If you’re missing the comforts of home, why not make your own, but without spending a lot of time making dinner from scratch. Purchase precooked entrees like lasagna, mostaccioli, or chicken fettuccini alfredo for a taste of home. Precooked entrees are usually sold in family-size, but don’t worry, you don’t have to spend all week eating the same meal. Simply thaw the entrée slightly so you can cut them into individual portions. Then pop them back into the freezer and take one out when you’re ready. This is a great way to save money too. Add a salad and a vegetable and it will be just like you’re at home!

Time Saving/Cost Saving Tip from GFS Marketplace

Start with a 9 x 13 pan of Macaroni & Cheese. Let it thaw for about fifteen minutes to make individual portions by placing a few scoops in freezer bags and place back in the freezer. Before your morning class, take out an individual serving, let it thaw in the refrigerator and when you get home for the evening, pop it in the microwave for a delicious, comforting meal. With so little prep and clean up time needed, you can get back to your studies right away!

Dorm Room Recipes

Burrito Dogs

10 inch Flour Tortillas

1 pkg. hot dogs

GFS Deep Dish Burrito

Canned Chili

Chopped Onions

Shredded Cheese

Sliced Jalapenos

Thaw the Deep Dish Burrito. Then combine the chili, onions, cheese and jalapenos and add to the burrito. Mix well and spread ½ cup of the mixture on a tortilla shell. Lay the dog in the middle and wrap it up folding the ends in first.

Freeze in a baggie. 

Heat in a microwave.

They’re a great meal or snack.

Set up an assembly line with your dorm mates and share the cost and the bounty!

Microwave S’Mores

Rice Krispy Treat Sheet

Hershey Candy Bars

Graham Crackers

Cut the Rice Krispy sheet into squares the size of the Graham Crackers halved.

Cut candy bars to fit and assemble like a S’More.

Graham Cracker, Rice Krispy Treat, Candy Bar and top off with the other half of Graham Cracker.

Set on a paper plate and microwave for 15 seconds.

ENJOY!

Recipes courtesy of GFS Marketplace