Healthy College Pantry Essentials for Busy Students Like You

I’m currently in my third semester of college and trust me, I’m no stranger to a busy schedule and a stressful workload. Some days I have 6-8 hours of back to back classes with no time to hit the dining hall. Because of this, I have learned what foods belong in my pantry to keep me fueled and fed. It’s so important for us students to take care of our nutritional needs so we can tackle all the tasks needed to get done. So, whether you live in a dorm room with just a microwave or even a small apartment, everything on this list will work for you.

#1: Quick Oats

Quick oats have to be one of the most important things on this list. Oats are an amazing, nutrient dense food that is great to add to your diet. They are a great complex carb that will help keep you satiated and energized until lunch. Additionally, oats are a great source of fiber and help regulate your cholesterol levels. The specific type that I choose are gluten free, protein oats. I like them with a little added protein for additional benefits.

I reach for these in the morning, especially when I have early classes to get to (since I don’t feel like waking up even earlier to get breakfast at the dining hall). You can make these in the microwave by adding some water or milk, or if you want something even quicker, let them soak overnight in the fridge so you can eat them on your way to class.

#2: Microwaveable Brown Rice

Again, another great, easy way to get whole grains into your diet is with microwavable brown rice. Of course if brown rice is not your thing you can opt for white rice, but I prefer brown rice for a multitude of reasons. For one, it’s a whole grain (whereas white rice is a refined grain). This means that when you eat white rice, you are not getting all the nutrients that the whole grain version has to offer. Additionally, since brown rice is a whole grain, it is a complex carbohydrate which will keeper you fuller for longer. Besides all the health benefits, I just honestly prefer the texture of brown rice better. It’s a win-win for me.

I love this specific brand because it’s a certified gluten free rice. If you don’t have to worry about avoiding gluten, any brand works fine.

Spice this up with your favorite seasonings to add an extra punch of flavor and variety to the taste. My favorites are cumin, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and cardamom. If you are vegetarian of vegan, pair this rice with a peas, chickpeas, or beans to create an easy, plant based complete protein source! You really can’t go wrong with this. It’s easy, fast, and filling.

#3: Canned Beans/Legumes

Beans and legumes are an amazing food group to incorporate into your diet. They are very nutrient dense and are a great source of fiber, protein, iron, and B vitamins. As I mentioned above, if you pair them with a whole grain such as brown rice, it creates an amazing plant based complete protein source.

Some of my favorite beans/legumes are chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Again, you can eat them straight out of the bag/can by adding your favorite seasonings! A good tip is to try and look for a low sodium variety for something a little healthier.

#4: Salty Snack- Hippeas Chickpea Puffs

Every once in awhile, you just want a satisfying snack to crunch on while watching your favorite show or while studying. The great news is, you do not have to give up taste/satisfaction for health! Some of my favorite chips that I reach for constantly are Hippeas chickpea puffs. These snack puffs are made from chickpeas which makes them a great source of fiber and some protein. Additionally, they are vegan, gluten free, and nut free! I highly recommend if you are looking for a savory snack with great flavor and crunch.

#5: Sweet Snack- Siete Mini Bunuelos

Of course we need a sweet treat in the pantry to satisfy the sweet tooth cravings. So, I present to you: Siete mini bunuelos! Siete is another one of my favorite brands out there. All of their products are gluten free and made with wholesome ingredients (without sacrificing taste). If you had not yet tried their products, I highly recommend!

#6: Nut Butter

A good nut butter is such a versatile food that is also a great source of healthy, unsaturated fats (which can help keep you full). I recommend looking for a natural nut butter that is made from only your nut of choice and maybe some sea salt. There really is no need for all the filler ingredients that big brands like to add, so try sticking to the natural stuff as it is the healthiest option.

Personally, I am a big fan of almond butter and peanut butter, so I switch between the two depending on what mood I’m in.

I love adding nut butters to my oatmeal, as filling for dates, or in sandwiches. Honestly, a drizzle of this stuff over anything is sure to be delicious.

#7: Dates (or your favorite dried fruit)

I could write a love letter to dates. They are one of my most used fruits when I am in a pinch. Dates are full of natural sweetness and offer a ton of carbohydrates, so they are a great food to eat when you need a boost of energy. My favorite way to eat them is filled with a nut butter. It’s like a healthy, natural version of a candy bar and is a great midday snack.

Another way I eat dates is in my oatmeal as a natural sweetener.

Dates last such a long time in the pantry and are a staple for my ‘kitchen’.

#8: All Natural Protein/Energy Bars

Like I mentioned before, life as a student is very, very, busy, especially if you are managing a job on top of your school work as well. One way I stay energized and fueled on days where I have a back-to-back schedule is with protein bars.

Now, I have a love-hate relationship with protein bars. On one hand, they are super convenient. You just put them in your bag and eat them whenever, wherever. On the other hand, many protein bar companies add in so many weird ingredients that I am not a fan of. I really try to keep my diet focused on whole foods, so for me those are a no-go.

However, throughout my years consuming protein/energy bars, I have come across some great brands that use good ingredients to create their products.

Some of my favorite bars are made from the brands RXBAR, GoMacro, and LARABAR.

The RXBAR and GoMacro bars offer a larger protein content, so if that’s what you are looking for, I’d go with those. There’s also sooo many flavors to choose from so experiment! Some of my favorite RXBAR flavors are peanut butter, pumpkin spice, and chocolate sea salt.

LARABAR does not offer a lot of protein, but they are still a great bar made with real fruits and nuts. If you need some extra energy, these are a very good option for you as well.

#9: Protein Powder

Protein is a very important macronutrient that helps support strong muscles and is in charge of many functions in our bodies. It’s very important that you get an adequate amount of protein in your diet so you can live a healthy, enjoyable life. An easy way for busy students like us to up our protein intake is with protein powder! Protein powder can be added to oatmeal, milk, water, and smoothies for an easy protein boost.

My favorite brand of protein powder is Vega. Their protein powder is plant based, gluten free, and nutrient dense because they are made with vegetables as well! The taste is amazing as well. My favorite is the chocolate flavor!

Plant Power!

There you have it, healthy pantry essentials for busy students like me and you. I hope you found this blog post helpful! If you try any of these or have added these to your pantry, let me know! As always thanks so much for reading and please take care of yourself! Until next time.

-Diana