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Heres how to make your dorm room dining dreams a reality, according to experts.
DragonImages via Adobe Stock / Amanda K Bailey
Stock up on a variety of foods to keep yourself satisfied.
When youre living on your own, it can be tempting to stick tosnack foodsyou know and love.
Theyre easy, require pretty much no prep, and really hit the spot.
But you may soon notice a problemthey likely wont keep you full.
Skimp on any one of them, and you may feel your energy dragging.
(More on how to do that in a moment.)
Fill your space with shelf-stable foods.
Some of these can be eaten directly from the can, like tuna paired with your favorite store-bought crackers.
Pre-roasted nuts, like pistachios, and peanut butter are great for quick hits ofhealthy fat.
As for carbs, you’re free to choose anything from instant oatmeal to quick-cooking rice noodles.
For one, venture to only buy as much food as you need for a week.
Invest in the right tools.
Certain appliances and kitchen gadgets can make cooking in a dorm room a little easier.
Dont have a ton of space for Tupperware?
Bring on spices, but keep it basic.
Save space by only stocking up on the seasonings that you know youll use the most, says Le.
Dont have much experience in the kitchen?
Ask a friend or family member what spices they swear byespecially for meals you loveand start from there.
Try sprinkling some on microwavescrambled eggsfor a quick, tasty, and better-than-dining-hall breakfast.
Save time with pre-chopped and pre-cooked ingredients.
Dorm rooms dont exactly have an abundance of surfaces for doing prep work.
Eliminate the need for that entirely by buying pre-chopped and pre-cooked ingredients whenever possible.
That goes for everything from pre-chopped broccoli to deli meats.
Transform dining hall or takeout leftovers in a few clever ways.
(Check your universitys website, or ask your dining hall, to see where yours falls in.)
If your dining hall does allow takeout containers, fill your box with later in mind too.
Or you’ve got the option to snag an extra hard boiled egg for a speedy protein boost.
Same applies to any restaurant takeout you may get, too.
Treat yourself to some fine dining without leaving your room.
Look for treats like these at specialty stores or order them online from vendors likeConserva Culture.
If youre not a fan of fish, there are other options.
Brush up on your food safety.
For one, cross contamination is a legitimate concern.
Be sure to cut vegetables first, then meats, says Le.
Replace when they become worn or overly grooved.
And if youre nuking any leftovers, they should be heated to 165 degrees as well.
(A food thermometer comes in clutch here.)
Finally, dont forget that almost all fresh ingredients have a relatively short lifespan.
And leftovers will generally only keep for three to four days in the fridge, per theUSDA.
Use a few smart tricks to make clean-up easier.
After all, the last thing you want is a clogged drain.
Your roommate will thank you.
