<p>I'll be going to college next year so I'm starting stuff like learning to do laundry, cook a teeny bit, etc. I know I'll be in the dorms and I couldn't cook big meals anyway, but I"m really not the most domestic, kitchen-talented person in the world. My mom said I should check out packaged stuff like frozen meals. The thing is I know a lot of it is really unhealthy. Does anyone know of good college foood, for the dorm room freezer, that is
1. Easy to make
2. Relatively healthy
3. Cheap
4. Tastes good?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I get Amy's burritos and Kashi frozen entrees... </p>
<p>They're not quite cheap, but you ask too much if you want healthy freezer food that's cheap. Asking for healthy cheap food is pushing it enough. They are quite tasty though, IMO, particularly the vegan selections (I'm not actually vegan, or even vegetarian).</p>
<p>All that processed crap you put in the microwave as meals are horrible for you...even the ones that say 'lean'</p>
<p>Sam's Club has pre-cooked, frozen chicken breasts that all you have to do is reheat. I get the mesquite "grilled" ones all the time. With the exception of having about a third of your recommended intake of sodium (which isn't really even that big of deal - it's nearly impossible for most people to not be over by double or triple the sodium), it's just chicken. Pop in the micro for 3 minutes and you're good. $10-15 for a bag that usually has 8-12 chicken breasts.</p>
<p>I'm also a fan of those steam in the bag frozen vegetables from Bird's Eye or Green Giant (run from $2-3 per bag and I usually get 2-3 servings from each bag). Frozen is much better than canned, and microwaving is better from a nutrient retention standpoint. Have the chicken with a side of vegetables and you're eating pretty healthy.</p>
<p>Minute rice came out with the microwave rice bowls, brown rice is very healthy. Beyond that, I'd say oatmeal - very filling, and mixed with some fruit it is a great breakfast to power your brain before classes. Luna bars are also a go to, no fridge needed food for me, usually carry them to class, but also eat at home after a run. I'm not a fan of frozen food (the prepared/prepackaged kind), there's way too much sodium in it, even the 'healthy' and 'diet' stuff. I do prettymuch all the grocery shopping for my house and I manage to get by on my busy days without touching the fridge or stove more than once. Also, I'd suggest tuna (you can get the pouches or pre-drained bowls even) and for another breakfast you could always use a teeny bit of fridge space for some eggs, and that pre-cooked bacon. Eggs in the microwave can be good, but only if you have it down (when I was in middle and high school I was well practiced in the art of the microwaved scrambled egg - the first few times it may come out nasty, but keep trying if you like eggs) and the bacon, I like it better than the fresh stuff and use it when I'm cooking eggs on the stove (instead of even bothering with putting the raw stuff in the skillett, no splashes, no mess.) I'm sure it tastes about as good from the microwave.</p>
<p>edamame! yummy</p>
<p>I second the Amy's stuff. The enchiladas are really good, as well as the bowls, and they're organic, not overprocessed (no preservatives or additives). Everything is vegetarian, though, so if you're really against that you might not want to try them, as most have tofu in them (though you really can't even tell--I normally don't like tofu).</p>
<p>Anything from Trader Joe's.....I can get a bag of precooked "just add water and heat" pasta for $2.99+tax, and can easily squeeze two servings a bag. The calorie count isn't too bad (720 for the whole bag-remember technically 3 servings) and it's better than ramen.</p>
<p>Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about finding freezer meals. Chances are that you will have a meal plan and not much freezer space and it would almost be a bigger hassle to have to go to the store all the time.</p>
<p>Anyways, Kashi makes some good stuff. I also like the Campells soup things (the Chunky kind, the soup at hand just tastes disguisting) and they are awesome because you don't have to put them in the fridge or freezer. I also eat oatmeal when I don't have a chance or don't feel like going somewhere to eat.</p>
<p>Campbell's Select Harvest-all natural, no chemicals and just started producing in microwavable bowls...and, no, I don't work for the company......</p>
<p>amy's is pretty much my life source. i go through phases where i'm addicted to one of their products and eat only that for about a month. last month it was those soy cheese pizzas, now it's the vegan pot pies... yum! they are expensive though... i also like morningstar farms. those ethnic gourmet meals are good too, if you're feeling adventurous. however, i'm a vegan. i think some of the ethnic gourmet dishes have chicken and stuff though.</p>
<p>You could try fish sticks. Gorton's are really good. They are bit fatty for a snack, but as a meal they are acceptable. Just pop them in the toaster oven for 15 minutes and they are good to go.</p>
<p>thanks a lot! and what if my roomate tries to mooch all my food...will that be a problem? but i also don't want to be mean/selfish...but i don't want to buy myself food and then have everyone else eat it..lol..how to handle that part of it?</p>
<p>The frozen vegetables that steam in the microwave are fantastic. They taste fresher than canned vegetables, and they're healthy.</p>
<p>Frozen vegetables+sausages+butter=a killer stir fry. Add some steamed rice and you've got fried rice. Yum :D</p>
<p>Or add beaten eggs and some cheese on top, 10 minutes in the oven, and you've got yourself a killer breakfast. :D</p>
<p>cool ,thanks. =) only i guess there's no ovens allowed in dorm rooms. but i'm sure thered be one in the common room?</p>
<p>usually, yes.</p>
<p>OKAY HERES THE ANSWER to frozen foods:</p>
<p>get a costco membership</p>
<p>I don't know, but my dorm room has a full stove.</p>
<p>So the total cost of making the aforementioned recipe=$1.60 total plus 10 minutes of my time.</p>
<p>Another vote for Amy's, and for the frozen microwaveable veggies. They're both good. Oatmeal also makes great dorm room food, especially in winter. It'll keep you full for the morning, and it's good for you. If you're looking to stay healthy, you should also think about taking a multi-vitamin. I started taking one when I began college (I'm a third-year now), and I seem to get sick far less often than my roommates.</p>
<p>When it comes to the roommate thing, you should talk about it before you move in. If you're sharing a fridge, you need to be clear that you don't want to share your food (or maybe that you're willing to as long as they replace it or give you money to replace it). It can be awkward to start off a relationship with "by the way, I don't want to share food", but it will avoid problems later if you're both on the same page from the get-go.</p>