5 healthy snacks from your dorm room mini fridge

By Carly Brothers

Freshman year is full of face major adjustments, like living in a tiny room with a roommate and realizing that studying the night before an exam might not be the best idea. But one of the biggest transitions from home to college life is the absence of your mom’s delicious cooking and constantly stocked pantry. The lack of home-cooked meals and convenient healthy snacks in college can lead to the freshman 15. (And yes, gaining the freshman 15 is very real.) Instead of taking the easy route and opting for a bag of chips or some pizza rolls from the convenience store when the dining hall food doesn’t fill you up, give these healthy and satisfying snacks a try.

Peanut or almond butter paired with an apple

Peanut and almond butter are necessities for dorm life. Peanut butter and apples are a great pair because peanut butter contains good fats and apples are high in fiber. Apples are a great fruit for dorm life because they are reasonably priced and have a long shelf life.

Greek yogurt and granola

As the semester progresses, it will be tougher to wake up for those early classes, and many students do not eat breakfast because they are rushing out the door. Greek yogurt and granola is a nutritious snack to eat on your way to your 8 a.m. class, and it packs a protein punch that will help you stay full and awake during a drawn-out lecture.

Hummus, carrots and pita chips

Trying to fit everything into a mini fridge can be challenging, but if you can spare some room, buy a small container of hummus. Hummus couples deliciously with baby carrots or pita chips.

String cheese and nuts

If you’re feeling hangry before your 3 p.m. class, grab a cheese stick and nuts. This is a perfect snack that will give you the energy to push through the afternoon. Nuts are full of heart-healthy fats, but be mindful of sticking to stick to the serving size. 

Lots of water

Although technically not a healthy snack, drinking plenty of water keeps you hydrated and full, so you can avoid eating excess calories. Drinking plenty of water each day might sound obvious, but it is easy to get dehydrated when you consume coffee and energy drinks while pulling an all nighter. Plus, nothing beats trekking across the hot Alabama campus like staying hydrated.

Photo by Melissa; Flickr Creative Commons