Going to college is a time of change for many people, especially when you live away from home for the first time and must deal with the challenges of dormitory living. Many colleges and universities limit the cooking and refrigerating devices allowed in dorm rooms, which can send you scurrying for the high-fat foods in vending machines for snacks or a late-night energy booster while studying. Stocking up on healthy foods that need no refrigeration and little preparation can keep the "freshman 15" from sneaking up on you.
Fruits
Fresh fruit is a healthy option for your college dorm room; it requires no refrigeration and is portable, making it a handy choice for taking with you to class. Choosing fruit such as bananas and oranges gives you access to a fruit you do not even need to wash prior to eating since you do not eat the skin, and both are good sources of vitamin C -- the immune system benefits of vitamin C are particularly important in communal living situations to keep you healthy. Other healthy fruit choices that do not require much in the way of preparation are apples, grapes, plums and berries. Be sure to wash these fruits, though, to remove dirt and help to remove pesticides.
Vegetables
Raw vegetables are a smart, healthy food choice for college, although some vegetables require slightly more preparation -- both washing and chopping -- than fruit. Crunching on raw broccoli and cauliflower can give the satisfaction of eating higher-fat and calorie snacks like chips and pretzels in a more nutritious package. Both these vegetables offer high vitamin C content, as well. You can purchase ready-to-eat packs of vegetables, and, like fruit, they do not require refrigeration. Commonly available vegetables sold peeled, chopped and cleaned include carrots, radishes and lettuce.
Whole Grains
Whole grain products like bread do not require refrigeration or preparation. Your college may not allow toasters or refrigerators in dorm rooms, but there are spreads, such as peanut butter, that do not need to be refrigerated after opening, making it possible to grab a quick peanut butter sandwich when you need energy instead of opting for high-fat peanut butter cracker packs out of the vending machine. Some colleges allow hot pots for heating water, and that can put nutritious instant oatmeal into your college diet. Healthy whole grains give you access to fiber and important vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, iron, B vitamins and vitamin A.
Nuts
Keep a container of nuts, such as pistachios, walnuts and pecans, around your dorm room to take the edge off your hunger between meals. You can also take a handful of nuts with you to class to keep your stomach rumbles from interrupting your professor and keep your focus up during class. Most nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, a compound known to improve cognitive function, and you will also get manganese, copper and calcium. Nuts are a healthy food, but take care not to overdo it -- generally, nuts are high in fat.
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