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themooseyoufear

Fiber and Proteins in dorms? Recommendations?

Hi everyone, I've been dorming for my freshman year of college since August, and I've been running into some issues with getting a balanced diet in. I have a packed schedule, and I don't always have time to grab food at the places on campus.

I often have carb-heavy snacks and meals for this reason, and while I'm not scared of carbs, my fiber and natural protein (aka, not powders) intake is very low. I get by with supplements, but I'm tired of my two options being noodles or rice cakes with yogurt.

The fridge my roommate and I share is very small and doesn't keep things lasting to their shelf date too well (our milk was basically cheese a day before its best by date). I've tried storing fruits and veggies in there, but they're done for within a few days.

Any recommendations for natural sources of fiber and protein that doesn't need a fridge? Natural in the sense that they aren't supplements.

Thank you!

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OmenRash Canned and dried goods are your best friends here. Canned chickpeas, lentils, black beans, and kidney beans are all high in both fiber and protein, don't need a fridge, and last basically forever. You can eat chickpeas straight from the can with a bit of salt if you're in a rush. Canned tuna and salmon are solid too, no fridge needed until opened.



For fiber specifically, oats are underrated. Rolled oats with peanut butter and some nuts is a proper meal, not just a snack, and you can make it with just hot water from a kettle. Nut butters generally keep fine at room temperature and pack a decent amount of protein per serve.



Nuts and seeds are probably the easiest no-fridge option. Mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds. Not exciting but they actually move the needle on protein and fiber without needing anything. Whole grain crackers or ryvita-style crispbreads also hold up better in a dorm environment than bread and add some fiber to whatever you're eating them with.
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themooseyoufear Author I love frozen veggies and fruits, but we don't have enough "freezer" space in our fridge to hold more than a hot pocket box. Apr 15 1 like