Eight dorm food staples to stay fit and healthy in these last two weeks

Most college students know the challenge of living in a tiny, shoebox-sized dorm room with no kitchen. You reminisce about living at home, where you could make scrambled eggs or throw together a quesadilla on the stove. USC has great on-campus dining options, but sometimes you just need a quick snack and don’t want to leave your room. Or maybe it’s so late that your favorite restaurant or dining hall is closed. Well, have no fear because there are tons of delicious, pretty healthy foods to snack on in your room when you get hungry. Below is a list of eight great snacks to store in your dorm.

1. Oatmeal. Luckily for you, most dorm rooms have microwaves. This means you can make instant oatmeal. Just add water to an oatmeal packet and pop it into the microwave to make a healthy, delicious breakfast or snack. 

2. Peanut Butter. Keep a jar of peanut butter — smooth or crunchy — in your room at all times. You can spread it on anything from bread to crackers to apples. It adds a punch of protein to any snack. Also, there’s always the option of eating it straight out of the jar. 

3. Granola/Energy Bars. There are hundreds of granola bar brands that taste great and are full of nutrients. Stock up on KIND Bars or Clif Bars to for a substantial, healthy snack. 

4. Popcorn. Just because you’re not going to the movies doesn’t mean you can’t eat this classic snack. Opt for a less artificial, less buttery type of microwavable popcorn and enjoy! 

5. Cereal. Sometimes, you just need a bowl of cereal. Instead of getting an overly sugary box, buy a whole grain cereal like Special K or Kashi. You’ll feel full and satisfied after munching on this healthy snack. 

6. Fresh or Frozen Fruit. Everybody knows that fruit is always a good snack option. Keep fresh or frozen berries in your fridge for when you need something sweet. You should also always have bananas, apples or oranges lying around.

7. Nuts. There are so many tasty, nutritious kinds of nuts to keep in your room. Stock up on almonds, walnuts, cashews or pistachios. If you have a sweet tooth, throw some dried fruit and M&Ms in to make your own nutty trail mix. 

8. Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt is a healthy, filling snack to eat at any time of day. There are tons of flavors to choose, from blueberry to vanilla. The best part is, you can add your other snacks like nuts, berries and peanut butter to your yogurt!