Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Food Ideas for Life in the College Dorm

by Lois Breneman 

            Mothers, do you have a college-bound son or daughter, who will be leaving the nest in August or September?  Although board does include three meals a day, all college kids seem to enjoy supplementing their diets in their dorms as well.  Maybe that’s why the average college freshman gains fifteen pounds.  Nevertheless, to help ease your mind and no doubt make your grown-up child happy as well, you might want to send him or her to college with a care package of food, at least emphasizing the fruits and vegetables.  Since many college kids these days have a microwave and even a small refrigerator in each room, the snack possibilities have definitely expanded since most of us were in college. 

            For students who only have a microwave available, however, the following staples will keep in the closet almost indefinitely: Canned soups, canned tuna and chicken, canned vegetables and fruit, applesauce, Lipton rice and pasta dinners, macaroni and cheese, chili, noodles, canned spaghetti, stovetop stuffing, microwave popcorn, hot chocolate mix, herbal tea, coffee bags (like tea bags), peanut butter, crackers, oatmeal, raisins, dried cranberries and salsa to use as a dip with tortillas.

Perishable fruits that will last a few days include apples, bananas, oranges, grapes and plums, with apples lasting the longest.

Potatoes could be baked in the microwave and topped with canned chili, tuna or creamed soup.

A small crockpot (1 quart) can also be purchased new for about $10, which would definitely increase the options. 

Be sure to include a few dishes, flatware and cups, possibly some disposable, as well as a few dishcloths, cloth towels and paper towels for clean-up.

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