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Dorms on the University of Louisville campus are equipped with kitchen facilities, but for many students, the convenience and cost of fast food are often a more alluring option than cooking.”When you have a community kitchen that is a few floors beneath your room, it is hard to use it conveniently,” said junior psychology major Christopher Seals. “I take advantage of all the free food opportunities on campus, and often fall victim to fast food.”And with all the fast food options around, it can be difficult to manage the “freshman 15,” those dreaded extra pounds that come with late-night eating sprees and too much junk food.According to research published in the Journal of American College Health, around 70 percent of on-campus residents gain a significant amount of weight between their freshman and sophomore years. However, with a little bit of will power and the right foods, it is possible to maintain a healthy diet while living in the dorm.Even though using the kitchen may not be a realistic daily routine, groups of friends can easily plan out healthy weekend meals. U of L is located on a bus line to Kroger, which means that even students without a car can go to a grocery store instead of eating fast food seven days a week.Keeping nutritious snacks on hand is another component of healthy dorm dining, some students say.”I suggest keeping snacks like granola bars or popcorn,” said junior elementary education major Nick Marshall. “They appeal to your sweet tooth and are healthy at the same time.”Almonds, apples and yogurt are among other snacks which are cheap and healthy.”Substitute fruits or sandwiches for breakfast and lunch,” suggested senior political science major Yoni Moise. “I always keep bread in my dorm; sandwiches are the cheapest and easiest things for students to make.”Ramen noodles are another easy (and cheap) fix for hungry students, and cookbooks specifically oriented to making the most of the noodles abound on the Web and in bookstores. At 12 cents a pack, Ramen can go a long way for students with empty pockets.Kathleen Crislip, a freelance writer specializing in travel and food, suggested college kids invest in a potholder, simple cutlery like knives, forks, spoons and a whisk, a can opener and pottery plates (plastic gets scummy, she said) to help with dorm dining.With the proper mindset, students can easily cut out excessive fast food; but hectic schedules often make this complicated. So, next time you pull out your meal card, consider buying bananas instead of burgers.
Ramen Noodle quick tricksToni Patrick’s “101 Ways to Make Ramen Noodles” is a popular book for college students, designed to help spice up one of the most popular, inexpensive dorm room foods – ramen noodles. Try the recipes below. Book price: $20-$25 (used and new prices according to Amazon.com)Tomato noodle soup1 package any flavor ramen noodles1 can (10.75 ounces) tomato soup, condensedCook noodles in water according to package directions. Do not drain. Add soup. Simmer five minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes two servings.
Ramen Custard Pudding:1 package any flavor ramen noodles1 egg1/3 cup sugar3/4 cup milkdash of nutmegdash of cinnamon1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/3 cup seedless raisins Break up noodles into buttered 1 quart casserole dish. Beat egg until light in color. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well, pour over noodles. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.Ramen lasagna1 package any flavor ramen noodles1/2 cup ricotta cheese1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated1 cup spaghetti sauceCook and drain noodles. Mix in sauce. In 4×4 inch pan, layer noodles, cheese, noodles, cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
