Dorm Room Essentials for Eating Healthy

Dorm rooms are traditionally small spaces with bunk beds and 2 to 4 roommates at any given time. The kitchens are kept small with the expectation that most food you eat will be from the food hall or off-campus restaurants. You might be lucky and get a microwave but a stove is almost unheard of. Luckily there are many electric kitchen appliances that can help you stay healthy and save a little money in the long run.

Rice Cookers

Rice Cookers are amazing! Within 30 minutes you can have perfectly made rice and that is not the only thing they can do. Hard boil eggs, cook potatoes, and other root vegetables make fall off the bone ribs, chilis, not to mention all grains cook great including oatmeal. There are even recipes out there for rice cooker cakes that come out super fluffy.

We recommend the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer for your small kitchen area. This cooker is compact enough for your dorm but can cook a large enough serving for you and your roommates! Always remember to clean your rice cooker directly after it cools to keep it in good condition. At under $35, this rice cooker is a steal!

Blenders

A small blender is an ideal item for a student who wants to make something quick to take it on the go. Smoothies are the perfect breakfast to keep you feeling healthy, and staying energized throughout the day. You can find cheap frozen fruit at dollar stores or buy in large quantities from your local supermarket. Get some protein or nutrient powders and you are basically set for breakfast every day! 

The perfect blender for the student on the go is the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender. This micro blender will take up almost no space in your kitchen area and is totally ready to take with you to class. The blender is made to be a single serving drink cup with a lid for easy portability. Great for those who like to sleep in, this one touch appliance means no more skipping breakfast!

Electric Kettles

Electric kettles are great for making hot beverages, instant noodle soups, all kinds of pasta, and oatmeal. You can even steam vegetables with them. Another option is buying some miso paste from your local supermarket and adding a teaspoon to a bowl of hot water. It will be great as a soup base or enjoy it alone as a warming broth.

This Stainless Steel Tea & Coffee Gooseneck Kettle is a must have for the busy college student. Campus Arrival reccomends this item as it is one of the most affordable gooseneck kettles available online and can boil water in under 5 minutes. The gooseneck design is superior to your regular electric kettle because it allows you to avoid spills and get more accurate pours. A great choice for coffee lovers!

Toaster Ovens

A toaster oven is great when you want to bake but don’t have access to an oven. Roast veggies and nuts, bake single-serving desserts, or even mac and cheese. Toast bread for avocado toast or If you feel like experimenting try dehydrating fruit at a low temperature.

The Black+Decker Toaster Oven will cover all of your toasting and small scale baking needs! This roomy toaster oven may be the most versatile item for dorm style living. Enjoy having wholesome meals again without the need for a standard sized convection oven.

Microwaves

Microwaves are the most likely appliance found in any dorm room. They may be a bit taken for granted but I assure you, a lot more can be done with them than just heating up leftovers. Try making an omelet in a mug for breakfast and you will not regret it. Mug brownies are a dorm room comfort food we all need once in a while. Portion soup in a bowl for a meal while you study. Microwave potatoes/sweet potatoes, and all sorts of squashes. (Be sure to poke holes with a fork in any whole vegetables you put in a microwave.) A microwave can be very useful for making meals in a flash for even the busiest of students.

Go all in with your roomates and get a Toshiba Microwave Oven for your dorm. This Microwave is a bit on the pricey side, but split between two or three people is quite affordable. Remember when it comes to microwaves you want to try and get one that is a better quality. The best thing about this microwave might be its sound on/sound off option. No longer worry about waking someone up while making a late night snack! This one is definitely worth the price!

With these appliances, you will have plenty of options for making delicious meals without having to step a foot from your dorm. Small spaces don’t have to hold you back from cooking for yourself and your friends. Food can be a great comfort while spending time on campus. Try creating some meals that you have been missing from back home or check out some totally new recipes. Your options are limitless with a bit of imagination.