Healthy Dorm Room Snacks

Healthy Dorm Room Snacking

Written by: Samantha McCarthy, MS, RD/LDN 

This past weekend, as I sat with my coffee reading the Sunday newspaper (yes, I still get the newspaper every week), I came across a boat load of store flyers advertising all of the best back to school gear. It dawned on me that it is mid-August and almost time for you or your kids to head back to college. As always, summer is flying by and many of you are scrambling to get your dorm ready. As you prepare your shopping list, don’t forget to add food and snacks to the list. If you are looking to stay healthy and avoid that notorious freshman-15 (or more), stock up on the snacks below:

In your mini fridge:

• Part-skim string cheese with a piece of fruit or wrapped in a piece of deli turkey for a snack
• Low-fat plain (not flavored) yogurt -with fruit and almonds
• Baby carrots dipped into hummus or peanut butter
• Hummus with baby carrots or on a whole grain pita pocket
• Almonds or other nuts with a piece of fruit
• 1%, skim, almond, or soy milk -- use instead of yogurt with cereal, fruit, nuts
• All-natural peanut or almond butter -- spread on a piece of fruit, toast, or tortilla with ½ banana
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Aged-hard cheese to top on crackers
• Salsa with a few (about 6-8) tortilla chips
• Bean Salads served with whole-grain crackers

On your counter/shelf:

• Peanut or almond butter to spread on whole grain bread or crackers, tortilla, or fruit
• Fresh fruit
• Nuts and trail mix
• Whole grain crackers and cheese or bean salads
• Tortilla chips with salsa
• Nut bars – like KIND or trail mix type bars
• Dried beans – chickpeas or edamame for a salty snack