Cooking in college:
Lose the pizza and get ready to make dormet!
Kate Christmann
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: Features
Ramen and soft drinks and cookies, oh my! It's no wonder college kids are often unhealthy, tired and ravenous for some good home cooking. What's a grumble-stomached student to do?
Make your own meals, of course!
Before you protest that you have no kitchen skills whatsoever, let me assure you that entire meals can be produced in your room-or with a little help from the saucepans in your dorm's RA closet. Just keep reading for a few ideas.
Of the basic food groups, college students most often seem to spurn vegetables. Raw carrots, broccoli and cucumbers are chock full of vitamins, whether they are dipped in dressing or added to salad greens. To mix in more food groups, go for the perennial kindergarten favorite Ants on a Log.
Fruit is a great alternative to sugary snacks. Find out what's in season to find the cheapest and ripest. Apples, for example, will be grown in the area starting in the fall.
Cheese sticks and yogurt provide excellent sources of dairy that are easy to take anywhere. If you're really in a hurry, throw a Go-Gurt or bottled yogurt smoothie in your bag. And the next time you're thinking about hot cocoa, heat up some milk instead of water, even if that's what the mix is intended for.
Sandwiches were made for the college student. They're portable, tasty and can contain all five healthy food groups if so desired. Lunchmeat is a good option if you don't mind the same meat all week. Add some lettuce, cheese, and tomato and you're good to go! If you're looking for a less perishable option, a PB&J sandwich contains the carbohydrates, protein and sugar to fill you up until dinner.
For these more confident in the kitchen, look no further than chicken. While the prospect of cooking meat may be daunting, the addition of chicken to a simple salad, quesadilla, sandwich or plate of rice is well worth the effort. Most packages of chicken feature directions on how to cook it; consider adding seasoned salt and garlic to give it more taste. Cooked chicken can be stored for 3-4 days in your fridge.
Make your own meals, of course!
Before you protest that you have no kitchen skills whatsoever, let me assure you that entire meals can be produced in your room-or with a little help from the saucepans in your dorm's RA closet. Just keep reading for a few ideas.
Of the basic food groups, college students most often seem to spurn vegetables. Raw carrots, broccoli and cucumbers are chock full of vitamins, whether they are dipped in dressing or added to salad greens. To mix in more food groups, go for the perennial kindergarten favorite Ants on a Log.
Fruit is a great alternative to sugary snacks. Find out what's in season to find the cheapest and ripest. Apples, for example, will be grown in the area starting in the fall.
Cheese sticks and yogurt provide excellent sources of dairy that are easy to take anywhere. If you're really in a hurry, throw a Go-Gurt or bottled yogurt smoothie in your bag. And the next time you're thinking about hot cocoa, heat up some milk instead of water, even if that's what the mix is intended for.
Sandwiches were made for the college student. They're portable, tasty and can contain all five healthy food groups if so desired. Lunchmeat is a good option if you don't mind the same meat all week. Add some lettuce, cheese, and tomato and you're good to go! If you're looking for a less perishable option, a PB&J sandwich contains the carbohydrates, protein and sugar to fill you up until dinner.
For these more confident in the kitchen, look no further than chicken. While the prospect of cooking meat may be daunting, the addition of chicken to a simple salad, quesadilla, sandwich or plate of rice is well worth the effort. Most packages of chicken feature directions on how to cook it; consider adding seasoned salt and garlic to give it more taste. Cooked chicken can be stored for 3-4 days in your fridge.
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