Eating healthy on campus can be a real challenge! It's even harder for those who haven't purchased sufficient credits on their food plan to cover three squares a day, plus snacks, seven days a week.

For those students who opt to prepare their own foods, not that I'm advocating cooking in the dorm room or anything, I have a few suggestions that you might find helpful.

(1) Cooking Outisde the Pizza Box by Jean Patterson and Danae Campbell ($14.95 US).

This is a hardy, spiral bound cookbook with quick and easy recipes for everything from munchies to party foods. Most of the recipes, such as the Portobello Mushroom Wraps with Garlic Mayonnaise, require only items commonly found in today's dorm rooms (electric skillet in this instance). The writer's include detailed instructions and information on preparation, cooking time, equipment requirements and servings with each recipe. It's a great little book!

(2) How to Break an Egg by Fine Cooking magazine ($19.95 US).

This hard-back text covers everything from basic kitchen techniques (like how to chop an onion) to cleanup (covering food and cleaning the grill). Its geared specifically for those who are living on their own for the absolute first time and haven't a clue what how to survive in the kitchen.

(3) 101 Things to Do with Ramen Noodles by Toni Patrick ($9.95 US).

I mentioned this one in my article on Easing the Transition. The book has recipes for everything from salads and snacks to desserts. I'm still very amazed at the types of dishes you can make with those little noodle packets.

(4) The College Student's Guide to Eating Well on Campus by Ann Selkowitz Litt ($14.95 US).

This one is also mentioned in my article on Easing the Transition. The author does a tremendous job covering everything from selecting healthy foods to how to boil water and keep your kitchen clean. If mom's not close enough to step in and help, this is the one book I'd count on!

(5) Last, but by no means least, Pamela Liflander's The Cheap, Fast & Easy Cookbook ($14.95 US).

This one was published in 2005, but its often times a little hard to find. If you can lay your hands on it, though, it's a great piece for students as the author has provided quick, usually microwavable, recipes for all of their favorite comfort foods (macaroni and cheese, pigs in a blanket, chicken salad, and many more).

Until next time! Happy eating...

Lynn Byrne

Until next time!

Lynn Byrne

Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:

• College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
  
• Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
  
• The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.