Every weekend (and a lot of weeknights), I face a dilemma. I’m hungry, but for some reason or other, the dining halls aren’t an appealing option (it’s too late, I don’t want to have to make an appearance in a dining hall and the food just doesn’t look good). I go to my trusty snack drawer, and inevitably dig out one of the foods on the list below. None of these are particularly groundbreaking, but God, do they taste good. And, most importantly, they’re in the comfort of my dorm room. So let me take you on a tour of some of my favorites in my food drawer.
Microwavable egg poacher:
I don’t want to scare you away, but you are going to have to bear with me. This first item is not actually food. Let me take you on a journey: It’s a Saturday night, and you don’t want to leave your room. You have a packet of ramen, but it doesn’t quite feel enough, and you know you will be hungry after. Luckily, you read this article and made a smart purchase: this egg cooker. Ninety seconds in the microwave, and you can slide a poached egg on top of your ramen. I swear, a perfectly runny yolk will make your ramen feel restaurant-worthy and honestly make you feel like a put together chef. Ramen with an egg > Ramen without one.
Kimchi:
I probably buy a new thing of kimchi every two weeks from Hannafords. Make sure to get the one in the plastic container, not the bagged one. I know it’s not the best kimchi, and it does come from a grocery store in central New York (I’m really selling this I know). But a) it’s the only kimchi I have found so far in a short radius and b) I just love it so much. Sometimes I just eat it as a snack, but my favorite way to eat it involves some extras. Get some microwave rice and some seaweed, and make yourself a full meal (or snack). It’s the perfect post-class, pre-dinner eat.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites:
Sure, any bin of these will do. But I have a specific one in mind. In the same complex as Thrifty Shopper is this random store called Ollie’s. It’s a massive discount store chain that sells overstock and items that have outdated-looking packaging. Tucked away on one of the massive shelves is a tub of peanut butter pretzel bites for just $3. This will last you so long and is just a smart purchase. Plus, you get the shopping experience of wandering the shelves and marveling at everything they have in stock (Plastic sled? Camo hunting gloves? Yes, please).
Quaker caramel rice crisps:
I know everyone tells college kids to eat rice cakes, but I honestly have no opinions on them. Well, that’s not true. Sometimes when I eat one, I can’t help but imagine that one of those little packaging peanuts is in my mouth, disintegrating into a slightly cardboard mush. Sorry to everyone who loves rice cakes. But these caramel rice crisps are not that. They may share a name with rice cakes, but they are crispy crunchy wonders of this world. There are a bunch of flavors, but the caramel one just scratches something special in my brain. They’re my absolute favorite sweet treat to have around. Be warned though: once you try one, you can never go back.
Chippy Things and Cheesy Strings:
Okay, I know this isn’t just one little category, but really, it’s the combination of chippy things and a cheese stick that I love. Now, you can do any number of combinations. I personally go for Stacy’s Thin Pita Chips or Blue Diamond Nut Thins as my chippy thing. Then, just ignore the fact that eating a cheese stick makes you feel like you are in elementary school, and remember how fun it is to pull apart the little strings. If you feel too grown-up for that (but seriously, appreciate the string), there are also cheddar or colby cheese sticks that are also really good. Something about a cheesy crunchy snack will always improve the day.
This list is just a taste of my snacks! I have a couple more essentials, but I also have been trying new ones recently. Food is something to find joy from, and having a little snack that you look forward to and that makes you feel satisfied can honestly transform a day. Take a half hour to treat yourself and your stomach. I promise you won’t regret it!
