After five years of college (yes, five), I think I’ve got a good understanding of what college students love to eat and drink. The following list is comprised of some old and new college favorites we all know too well.
Coffee
Don't even get me started on the line at the campus library coffee shop. No matter what time of day it was you could count on the line being out of the door for what I think was overpriced and mediocre at best coffee. You were in the minority if you didn't have an iced latte walking around campus.
Ramen
Ramen is one of those foods that is quintessential in the college diet. Top Ramen that is, not the delicious ramen you can find at restaurants. According to WestWord.com, Top Ramen contains 1,560 grams of sodium which is more than the FDA recommended 2,300 mg per day. Luckily for me, the ramen obsession never stuck around and I’m sure my body thanks me for it.
Chick-fil-A
If you live in an area that doesn’t have a Chick-Fil-A, I’m so sorry. Chick-Fil-A is one of the greatest foods (in my opinion) known to mankind. While that might seem a bit dramatic, I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. My college campus had a Chick-Fil-A express location, meaning the menu offerings were smaller but still sufficient. The line for Chick-Fil-A breakfast in the morning was easily 10 times longer than the library coffee shop, that’s for sure.
Pizza
My personal favorite, pizza. It’s my favorite guilty pleasure to indulge in on a regular basis. Frankly, I don’t feel too bad about it because it’s a great way of getting your vegetables in as they make a tasty topping. It was always a blessing when our local NFL and NBA team won a game because that meant major discounts on delivery.
Now that’s a cause for celebration, am I right? Speaking of delivery, VersusReviews.com reports that the most popular holiday of the year to order pizza is Christmas.
Alcohol
Ah yes, alcohol. The root cause of many wild (and bad) nights for college students all over. Whether you’ve either witnessed or been the perpetrator of vomit in the dorm hallway, it’s something we’ve all been around whether we like it or not.
Mac and Cheese
One of the best comfort foods of all time, in my opinion, is mac and cheese. I’m drooling just thinking about it. It’s one of those foods that can be prepared in multiple ways, perfect for students living in dorms without access to a full kitchen as it can be microwaved and prepared in just a few minutes.
Burritos
You can thank Chipotle for the burrito craze on college campuses. They’re filling, tasty, a good value for your money, and can be fairly healthy depending on your fillings. Our local Chipotle near campus was so busy that finding a seat during peak dining hours was a rarity.
Avocado Toast
I understand that Avocado Toast may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it is for the students interested in healthier options. It’s easy to whip up, healthy, and the healthy fats from avocados keep you full enough to satisfy your stomach through long classes or study sessions without feeling weighed down. Livestrong.com even reports that avocados are considered a “brain food” that improve cognitive functions such as memory and concentration.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is the easiest thing to make, like, ever. Pop it into your panini grill (most college kids have those, right?) and bam, you feel like a child again. It’s one of those comfort foods that are a perfect lunch on a cold winter day or paired with tomato soup if you’re sick.
Granola Bars
Granola bars were my absolute go-to snack for classes or long days of studying. In fact, I even kept a large bowl full of them so that I could switch it up every day. There was nothing worse than being stuck in a three-hour long night class unable to concentrate with your stomach rumbling from hunger.
What’s your favorite food or drink from this list?
