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How to Stock a Dorm Room Fridge

Ah, the infamous college dorm fridge. While it’s awesome to have access to a refrigerator, knowing how to stock a dorm room fridge can be hard. How come?

For one, it’s usually a mini fridge, meaning your space is limited. There’s a good chance you’re sharing it too, which leaves you only with enough room to stock the essentials. Or you could have access to a dining hall, in which case you might think the dorm room fridge is not necessary. Yet, the life of a college freshman can be stressful and unpredictable, so it’s best to be prepared for any unexpected food cravings once the dining hall is closed. Learn how to stock a dorm room fridge to prevent unwanted headaches, expanded waistlines, or an emergency call to Dominos.

With limited space and budget, let’s look at the best things to stock a dorm room fridge with.

 

Healthy Fridge Foods

Whether a full meal or a snack, here are the best things you can fit in a fridge to satisfy any craving!

Veggies to snack on. Stock your fridge with tasty vegetables that don’t take up a ton of room or require prep. Choose things like baby carrots, cucumbers, snap peas or cherry tomatoes. They’re great to snack on, are packed with good nutrients, and won’t take up a ton of space. They also will last a long while so you won’t have to worry about a super short shelf life.

Foods to fill you up. Sometimes you need a hearty snack that will keep you full while fighting a late-night deadline. If a craving strikes, choose a snack with a good amount of protein, like cheese strings, plain yogurt (hold the sugar!), or a premade bean burrito.

Items to make meals. Lunch meat is a great addition to a mini fridge to make a quick sandwich with some sliced bread or a wrap. Or hold the bread and simply roll the meat up with some cheese! Keep mini jars of peanut butter and jelly on hand for an easy-to-make lunch.

Freezer Finds

This article isn’t only about how to stock a dorm room fridge. If your fridge comes with a freezer, you need to take advantage of it too! Freezers are a great way to store leftovers, have healthy meals on hand, and keep your favorite treats properly stored.

Frozen meals. Frozen meals can be a life changer when you’re hungry but don’t have time (or energy) to whip something up. Besides, frozen meals today are packed with fewer preservatives, sugars, and salts. Look for healthy bowls, burritos, entrees, and more in the frozen aisle, and keep them on hand for emergencies.

Sugar cravings. To satisfy your sweet tooth, keep some handy “sugary” treats in your freezer. Frozen fruit like mango and grapes and yummy to snack on. Indulge with some frozen yogurt, too! Just pay attention to portion size.

 

Hydrating, Good-For-You Beverages

Staying hydrated is super important, but that doesn’t mean you need to fill your fridge with a 12-pack of plastic water bottles. Instead, consider buying a reusable water bottle and filling up at water fountains and drinking stations around campus.

Still, other liquids could be great for your health and can help satisfy your stomach if you’re craving something with a little flavor.

Fruit and veggie juice. While fruit juice contains a ton of sugar, a lot of healthy food brands now sell fruit and veggie blends to offset all the sweetness. Plus, these juices are way better for you than a sugary soda. Just make sure to check the label and see how much sugar you’re drinking. It might be in your best interest to only drink a little at a time.

Dairy-free milk. This might be essential, especially if you’re an avid coffee drinker in the morning. There are many dairy-free alternatives which are not only good for your body but also tend to keep longer than cow’s milk. Choose from soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk, and add it to your coffee, morning bowl of oats, or drink it on its own! Some brands even carry chocolate-flavored milks which can be a nice treat at the end of a long school day.

Coconut water. What’s great about coconut water is it can be super hydrating — and could even help prevent a hangover. Unlike good ol’ regular water, coconut H20 is a great source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and several important minerals. If you don’t like how it tastes on its own, you can buy coconut water that is infused with other flavors, like pineapple, lime, or even chocolate. They often come in small, recyclable bottles so you can easily store it in your mini-fridge.