As a college student, having food in your house or dorm is always good; it provides you with the accessibility to eat whenever you want and the opportunity for your palate to explore other foods without having to dine out at expensive restaurants.
When I first moved into my dorm room at college, I was so excited to have a mini fridge but had no idea what to actually put inside of it. Of course, I could have tried to stack 24 water bottles underneath the little freezer and along the tiny door, but it seemed like a waste of electricity and space. So, I decided to stock my mini fridge with bits of healthy snacks–and it was an excellent decision.
While I’m certainly not a nutritionist or a doctor, here’s my list 6 foods every college student should keep in their fridge, accompanied by a completely arbitrary ★ scoring system.
Bananas
Health Benefits: ★★★★★ | 105 calories + rich in Potassium (422 mg) and also high in Vitamin C and B-6.
Flexibility: ★★★★ | Can be eaten with a slew of other dorm foods, like peanut butter, jam, yogurt, and cereal.
Durability: ★ | They can last up to 2-9 days refrigerated. They can be squished rather easily.
Hummus
Health Benefits: ★★★ | Rich in fiber and protein that help your digestive system, as well as vitamins and minerals that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Flexibility: ★★★★★ | Can be eaten with crackers, pretzels, chips, veggies, on bagels, and almost anything else you can think of.
Durability: ★★ | In the fridge, it can last for up to 10 days unopened. In the freezer, it’s good for 6-8 months.
Milk
Health Benefits: ★★ ★★| High in calcium and Vitamin D, which is good for bone health. Has amino acids that moisturize skin. High in protein for muscle growth.
Flexibility: ★★★★ | Can be used in baked goods/desserts, for cereal, to combine in other drinks, and are wonderful when dipped in cookies.
Durability: ★ | Lasts for about 7-10 days
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Health Benefits: ★★★ | Contains “good fats” that help keep your heart healthy, as well as vitamins that are good for your eyes and bones.
Flexibility: ★★★★ | Can be used in salads, on a sandwich, or just eaten by themselves.
Durability: ★ | Must always be refrigerated. Lasts for about 5 days, but are sturdy.
Peanut Butter
Health Benefits: ★★★★ | High in potassium, protein, and fiber. Has healthy fats and is good for your heart.
Flexibility: ★★★ | Can be used for sandwiches, to dip in, as a healthy baking substitute and as an ingredient in shakes/recipes.
Durability: ★★★★ | When refrigerated, it can last up to 8 months (but if not, will last about half that.)
Apples
Health Benefits: ★★★★★ | High in fiber, high in antioxidants, satisfy hunger, prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol.
Flexibility: ★★★★★ | They can be used for baked goods, dipped into caramel and other sweets, put into pancakes, can be made into apple sauce, and can made into a variety of different drinks.
Durability: ★★ | In the fridge, they can last up to 1-2 months (but if not, will last about 1-2 weeks.)
What I didn’t mention but is also good to have on hand: cheese, carrot sticks, and yogurt. And if you’re a true upstate New Yorker, don’t forget the 100% pure maple syrup to use on your pancakes and in coffee!
Leave your suggestions below!
Your experience in storing food in the mini fridge is very interesting.
I think the first values we need to give the eating habits to the students. Fast food culture is damaging the health of our future.
I think fruit is important for students all the time.
What a great list of foods. It’s nice that these are also compact and easy to store for college kids.
I would recommend students to purchase mini fridge with lock because it’s a jungle out there 🙂
Your experience in storing food in the mini fridge is very interesting. It is a way of saving but still be able to get the food you want. Having a mini fridge is a practical way for students in the dorm. I never did like it when I was a student.