Being a vegan in college has been much easier than I thought it would be. Although my university is not as vegan-friendly as other schools, I still have no problem finding delicious food in the dining halls. Even though the cafeterias are filled with plant-based options, there are times where I am on the run, long for a quick snack, or am too lazy to leave the comfort of my dorm’s bed. Because of this, I like to keep a myriad of snacks in my room that I can munch on whenever I so please. Below is a list of all of my favorite treats I make sure to stock up on during the academic year!

Pantry

Peanut Butter: Filled with vitamins, protein, and a great dose of healthy fats, I love to keep crunchy peanut butter in my room to snack on with rice or in my oatmeal for a satisfying breakfast.

Rice Cakes: Thin rice cakes are a staple snack as they are perfect when paired with peanut butter.

Protein Powder: As someone who wants to gain more muscle, I always have Sun Warrior Warrior Blend on hand to put into my morning oatmeal or in a protein shake when I am on the go.

Oats: Quick oats are another necessity on my list. Practically every morning I make protein oats in my dorm, and almost every night I have oats for dessert, which means that I rely heavily on Quaker Quick Oats or Qi’a.

Protein Bars: Protein bars are another quick and easy treat that I like to munch on before my workout, as they give me a quick burst of energy. My favorite brands are No Cow, NuGo Slim, and Siren Snacks.

Fridge

Frozen Fruit: Although I do not have a blender, I love to keep a variety of frozen berries in the small freezer compartment of my mini-fridge to incorporate into my oatmeal in the morning! They add a nice freshness and antioxidant boost to my breakfast.

Veggie Sausage: Veggie sausages are something that I keep in my dorm but bring with me to my dining hall when it does not offer vegan protein options. My favorite brand that I use is Field Roast, specifically the Apple Sage Sausage! It tastes great on a sandwich or in a salad.

Pre-Cooked Tofu: This is another vegan protein that I keep in my dorm to bring with me to my dining hall when it does not offer plant-based protein options. I buy it at the local health food store near my university. It also makes a nice snack by itself when I come home late at night and am craving something savory.

Ezekiel Bread: I like to have Ezekiel bread on hand for when I am craving bread. Ezekiel bread is full of B vitamins, vitamin C, folate, fiber, and essential amino acids, making it one of the healthiest options out there! I love to eat it with avocado, hummus and salsa, or peanut butter.

Beverages

Kombucha: On occasion, I will buy kombucha from the health food store in town and keep it in my fridge for when I am craving it. Not only does kombucha taste amazing, but it also has a myriad of health benefits! I especially love to have this fizzy drink after a night out. My go-to brands are definitely Gt’s and Health Ade.

Tea: To limit my coffee consumption, I have a variety of teas for when I am in need of a flavored drink. Chamomile and ginger are my teas of choice!

Instant Coffee: Coming from my Greek roots, I am naturally obsessed with the instant coffee brand Nescafe. I always make sure to have this in my dorm to serve hot, cold, or even to throw into my oatmeal for an added boost of flavor and caffeine.

Almond Milk: While I do not always keep almond milk in my dorm, I do occasionally buy it in order to add extra-creaminess to my oatmeal in the morning or in my protein shakes!

Fun Stuff

Chocolate: I am a huge chocolate lover, which means you can always count on me to be stocked with a hefty chocolate bar! Specifically, I am in love with dark chocolate. When I am craving a square late at night, I eat Theo Chocolate, because it is incredibly tasty and relatively healthy.

Ginger Chews: I am not a big fan of candy, which is why I love ginger chews. They are refreshing and spicy, and I constantly snack on them in class, while I am working, or when I am out with friends.

Freeze-Dried Fruit: Freeze-dried fruit unexpectedly won my heart. I received a care-package not too long ago from a family friend that contained freeze-dried apples and mango from Trader Joe’s! I quickly fell in love with these treats. They taste great on their own as a snack, but also make a great topping for smoothies and oatmeal.

Popcorn: Unfortunately, most microwave-popcorn brands contain milk products in them, so I refrain from buying them. However, I do buy popcorn kernels and pop them in the microwave with a paper bag when I am craving something savory! Just be careful not to set off your building’s fire alarm as I did…

Miscellaneous

Turmeric & Cinnamon: These are always stocked up in my dorm because I use them both twice a day! I put these spices in my morning oatmeal and in my dessert at night. The cinnamon adds extra deliciousness to the dish, and the turmeric is a health-booster that I do not mind incorporating into my meal!

Maple Extract: This is another product that I like to keep handy to throw in my oatmeal or protein shakes for an added maple-sweetness!

Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is one of my favorite foods of all time — I could literally eat it with a spoon! I have a large tub of it in my dorm and constantly use it in salads, on avocado toast and pasta, or even just sprinkled on tofu.

Powdered Peanut Butter: PB2 is another essential product that I keep in my dorm. I love both the chocolate and the vanilla flavor and always add it to my oatmeal and protein shakes. Powdered peanut butter helps add the deliciousness of peanut butter without all of the added fat. Sometimes, I also mix it with water until it forms a creamy-like consistency and then I eat it with rice cakes!