Dorm Room Snack Stash
If you’re looking for some healthy snacks to keep on hand, there are plenty of options available. The following snacks can be purchased at stores on campus:
- Low-fat yogurt
- Beef jerky
- String cheese
- Tuna in individual serving packets
- Reduced sodium soups that are broth-based
- Unsalted nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and peanuts
- Peanut butter
- Light or natural microwave popcorn
- Pretzels
- Whole wheat crackers (look for those with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving)
- Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds
- Baked chips
- Flavored rice cakes
- Soy crisps
- Cereals (look for those with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving and less than 15 grams of sugar)
- Granola bars (look for those with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving and less than 15 grams of sugar; some have added protein too)
- Energy bars (look for those with two grams of saturated fat or less)
- Quick cooking oatmeal (look for low sugar varieties)
- Graham crackers
- Fig bars
- Animal crackers
- 100 calorie snack packs
- Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, dried plums)
- Fruit cups (look for those packed in light syrup or natural juices) 100% fruit juice
- Vegetable juice Fresh fruit (if you live in the dining hall, you can carry out a piece of fruit after each meal)
- Bottled water
- Low-calorie flavored water
A note about food safety
- Make sure to keep perishable foods refrigerated. Check the sell-by dates on these foods. Many times they will be safe to eat for up to a week past the sell-by date, but when in doubt, don’t eat it!
- Keep your refrigerator at least 40º F or colder.
- Don’t leave perishables out of refrigeration too long. If something has been out longer than two hours, pitch it.
- After opening packaged foods, seal in a plastic bag to deter bugs and rodents. Be sure to vacuum any crumbs.