The top 10 best foods to have in your mini fridge this semester

Photo by Kaitlyn George

When you’re a broke college kid, you have pretty much three categories you can spend your money in: toiletries, entertainment and most importantly, food. 

Now, food can be broken down into many categories. Non-perishables, dairy, frozen, dry foods; pretty much anything you can imagine . But there are just certain things that you don’t want to live without, and what if those things require refrigeration? 

If you brought a mini fridge to campus this year, you’re in luck. I’m going to tell you the top 10 things to keep in your mini fridge. 

1. Danimals Smoothies

Let’s be real-- these were the best thing on the planet when we were kids. Here’s the secret: they still are. They sell six packs, 12 packs and 18 packs. You can find them at both Walmart and Price Chopper; I currently have a six pack of the Strawberry Explosion flavor in my fridge. 

2. Juice Boxes
   Another classic beverage from our youth, and there’s so many different brands of juice boxes you can choose from. Personally, my recommendation is Apple and Eve Fruit Punch juice boxes (only sold at Walmart).  

3. String Cheese
   String cheese is hands down one of the easiest on-the-go snacks. It’s in a single serving package, it’s not messy and it tastes really good. Plus, it’s healthy for you and a package of them won’t break the bank. 

4. Popsicles
   If you’re lucky enough to have a mini fridge with a freezer, popsicles are the way to go. More specifically, the popsicles that come in long plastic packages in the net bag. They hit the spot after a sweaty practice, a stressful class or when you just need a flavor change. 

5. Cookie Dough
   Have you ever heard of the Cookie Dough Cafe? Well, they sell individual servings of edible cookie dough (that won’t give you salmonella). They sell larger jars or small containers, depending on your preference. They also have a variety of kinds to choose from. 

6. Yogurt
   Yogurt is a healthy alternative to pudding, plus it’s tasty. It’s creamy like pudding is and has the same satisfaction that ice cream does. There’s also a variety of brands you can choose from, so if you’d prefer a GoGo Squeeze pouch of flavored yogurt over a pint of Greek Yogurt, you have that option. 

7. Lunchables
   Let’s be real: lunchables smack when you’re not actually hungry enough to eat a meal. They’re almost always on sale, but if they’re not, they’re pretty cheap. You can go the basic route of meat, cheese, crackers and dessert, or you can spring for the sub sandwiches that come with a Capri Sun. 

8. Ice Cream Pints
   Again, if you’re lucky enough to have a freezer on your mini fridge, and you don’t really want a popsicle, ice cream is where it’s at. Pints are definitely small enough to fit in your freezer, no matter what size it is. As always, there is always a variety of brand and flavor. 

9. Jell-O 
   Another timeless classic from our youth, Jell-O brand Jell-O. The jiggly snack can be purchased in premade single serve cups, or if you want to make it yourself, you can buy the mix. It’s also really fun to eat-- definitely a food you can play with. 

10. Water
    Plain and simple: you need water. A filtered water pitcher will more than likely fit in your mini fridge, but if not, you can fill up your reusable water bottle and toss it in whenever need be. But even then, you can get some plastic water bottles and put them in there too. 

Food is your lifeline in college, literally and figuratively. There’s so many different snack foods you can get, but these are my recommendations for what to keep in your fridge. There’s also so much more you can branch out to, like milk, ham or eggs!