How Can I Cook Healthy Meals Without A Kitchen?

Josie needs help! She recently moved into a dorm, so she only has a sink & a hot plate.

How can she make healthy meals without access to a full kitchen?

Not to worry: with a little creativity she can still prepare healthy meals right in her dorm room, and so can you.

Here's how to still kill it at cooking!

Even without a kitchen, you can store a lot of items like:

• bread, butter, jam, oatmeal, dried fruit, almonds

• fruits such as apples, pears, avocados, cherry tomatoes

• energy, protein, or granola bars

• olive oil and salt

• packaged products like whole grain crackers or granola

Storage

• Find a large box or basket, preferably with a lid, and call it your kitchen cabinet.

• A collection of sealable baggies, plastic wrap, and binder clips will keep packages closed and make food last longer.

• Use a mini-fridge if you plan to store milk or other perishable food.

Cooking

If you want to cook with heat, consider a rice cooker, electric pressure cooker, toaster oven, or electric water kettle.

*Please note: Some dorm rooms are very strict about what appliances you can and can't have. Be sure to check what's allowed!

Here's how to create a variety of tasty, healthy meals.

Without Appliances

Overnight Oats and Salads-in-a-Jar:

Throw some rolled oats, toppings of your choice, and water into a jar. By morning, you’ll have a delicious and healthy breakfast ready to go.

Salads-in-a-jar follow the same idea. Fill a jar with dressing and then layer ingredients like greens, veggies, rice, and cheese on top.

Easy sandwiches:

Peanut butter and jelly with banana is a great option. You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter if you prefer.

Other healthy options:

• canned fruit

• avocado toast

• three-bean salads

With Appliances

• Use a blender to make a smoothie with almond milk, spinach, mixed berries, and bananas

• Use a microwave for easy stuffed potatoes. Microwave a whole potato on high power for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Cut it in half and add your favorite seasoning and top with guacamole, chopped tomato, and cilantro.

Just because you don’t have a kitchen at your disposal doesn’t mean you can’t eat well.

Just follow these tips:

Unleash your inner cook!