There's a lot to think about when you go to college and cooking is usually not one of them ... that is until you student dislikes the food in the dining hall or didn't make it there before it closed. But, simply purchasing a few essentials to stock a student's fridge can help them feel satisfied any time of the day.
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Our friend, chef and owner of AMG Catering, Alison Milwe Grace, offers students a "must-have" grocery list with 10 items for college students so they don't have to worry about what they are going to eat when their stomachs are rumbling.
Chef Grace has worked in the food industry for over 33 years and has had numerous recipes featured in magazines and newspapers.
Here is the list of groceries for students that will make shopping a breeze:
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1. Fruit.
Not only is fruit delicious, but it's nutritious. Apples, bananas and berries are easy for students to find at almost any grocery store and can be eaten alone or with other foods.
2. Veggies.
Whether frozen or fresh, vegetables supply nutrients vital for a student's health. There is always a nice variety to choose from at the grocery store, so students should try to change up their selections weekly.
3. Yogurt.
Eaten alone or with something mixed in, yogurt is high in protein and comes in flavors that will satisfy almost any college student's taste buds. Crumble a granola bar into a yogurt cup and top it with berries.
4. Granola Bars.
A great snack to eat anytime of the day and easy to take on the go when students are rushing off to class.
5. Hummus.
Plant based protein and high in fiber, hummus is great as a dip or spread. Students can dunk raw carrots and cucumbers into a tub of hummus or spread it on a tortilla with deli meat or even eggs.
6. Eggs.
There are so many ways to cook eggs including in the microwave. Rich with vitamins and minerals, eggs are also a fantastic source of protein.
7. Whole Grain Tortillas.
High in complex carbohydrates and fiber, students can roll tortillas up with peanut butter and bananas, hummus and deli meat, or with an egg and cheese.
8. Cheese.
Sliced up, dunked in hummus or melted in eggs, cheese is a great source of calcium and absolute deliciousness.
9. Instant Rice.
If you have access to a stove then you don't need this version, but otherwise instant white and brown rice can be cooked in a dorm room microwave or purchased already prepared and package in small containers.
10. Peanut Butter.
Sometimes enjoyed by the spoonful, peanut butter is packed with nutrition. Students may also want to try spreading it on a tortilla or granola bar.
Salt + Pepper = "Spepper"
One of Chef Grace's best kept secrets is her "Spepper"! Mix one part pepper to three parts salt and students will have the perfect combination of seasoning to spruce up their food.
Chef Grace has two simple, and of course, delicious recipes that can be made right in the comfort of a college dorm room or apartment using some of the foods above.
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CHEESE - APPLE QUESADILLA
Ingredients
1 Flour Tortilla
1 Apple Sliced
1/4 Cup Shredded Cheese (any kind)
Ground Cinnamon
Directions
Place a single layer of apple slices on half of the tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese and ground cinnamon and microwave until cheese melts.
YOGURT PARFAIT
Ingredients
1/2 Cup Plain or Vanilla Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup Granola or Crushed Granola Bar
1 Teaspoon Honey
1/2 Cup Mixed Berries
Directions
Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into a glass or bowl. Top with 1/8 cup granola and 1/4 cup berries. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon honey. Repeat to make another layer. Serve immediately.
Students love receiving treats in their care package. You can select the gifts and delicious food to go in your Me To You Box.