During my four years as an undergrad student I experienced first hand just how bad a college student's eating habits can be. The media portrays us like all we do is eat pizza and drink beer, and rightfully so. I mean, those are two of the cheapest things you can buy in a college town. But, while we enjoy our Domino's and our Miller Lite we cannot forget about all those other cheesy, delicious, sweet, spicy, amazing foods that we basically lived and thrived off of for the last four years. So, this is a nod to all of those foods that were there for you after every hangover, heartbreak, celebration and night-in. Here are the top 15 foods that every college student knows is a staple in their diet:
1. Easy Mac
As if we didn't eat enough of this stuff growing up, we consume so freaking much of this stuff every year. Before I even came to college I got gift baskets for high school graduation with like three packs of Easy Mac in there. Not to mention any time I go home my mom always makes it a point to ask me if I need any more ... but hey, it's cheap, it's quick and it's good!
2. Ramen Noodles
Probably the cheapest thing in the grocery store you could find...yet so fulfilling and so loaded in sodium. When we decide that going out is more important than our dinners we turn to Ramen. When we just don't have any time to go grocery shopping, we eat Ramen. Sometimes we are just too busy to have time to fix anything else. Sometimes we are just too tired to cook a meal, so we choose to microwave a bowl of stale noodles and sprinkle chicken flavored powder over it. Once again, it's cheap, and it's good.
3. Soup
What does a can of soup cost a college kid? Probably like $1.25 max. So naturally we load up on this stuff! Not to mention we are always getting sick, so it's nice to have on hand. I prefer the larger cans where you don't have to add water, but I would be lying if I don't like a bowl of old fashioned Campbell's chicken noodle soup every once in a while ... with a soda on the side, of course!
4. Tostitos & Dip
I can hear the Hallelujah Chorus......no but seriously. This stuff saved my life. Whether it was the perfect snack when I got home from a fun night out, or because I was up till 5 a.m. binge-watching Friends for like three weeks straight; this stuff was golden during college. They even give you fun little options like lime and jalapeño chips, or spinach dip if you are ever in the mood to switch it up. I should have basically had an IV in my arm that sent queso straight into my bloodstream!
5. Crawfish
When it starts to get warm ... every single weekend at an SEC school there is crawfish being served somewhere. Crawfish boils and day parties replace football Saturdays in the South, and for good reason. What is better than getting to eat a messy, spicy southern delicacy out in the sun with all of your friends? I've eaten so many the last four years it's a surprise I haven't grown claws of my own. The true test is to see if you're man enough to suck the juice out of the mudbug's head!
6. Cheesy/Messy Fries
Ohhhhh mannnnnn, this was probably the best part about going out for me during my sophomore and junior year. These are a staple in our diets. I mean who doesn't love chili cheese covered anything?! The correct answer is no one! These were the perfect way to end a night, and sometimes the absolute best breakfast when you wake up starving. Only complaint ... they never give you enough ranch. If you went to UA you know just how long the line for these things is every single weekend.
7. Chipotle
Did we stop going when everyone was getting sick from this place? No. Do we swear they put some seriously addictive drug in their guac? Absolutely, yes! It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, what time it is, it is always a good time for Chipotle. Now, I for one am slightly addicted to a one half chicken, one half steak bowl add guac, but lord knows that there are more than enough options. Sometimes I get a little too carried away and the employees can't put a lid on my bowl ... but whatever! Not to mention how great it feels when you open the fridge later that night and see that you still have half your giant bowl left. Chipotle ... you da real MVP!!!
8. Jimmy Johns
Who else is guilty of ordering JJ to the library when they're pulling an all-nighter? Cause I KNOW that I am not the only one that has done it! JJ is the kind of food that you can fall in love with, simply because it is there for you any time you need a late night meal. Crying your eyes out when you get home over a boy? Call Jimmy and invite him to your house instead of sending that 12th unanswered text. Feeling exceptionally lazy today and you don't want to leave the house? Call Jimmy J and tell him you want a beach club, bread dug out and cut in half with a pickle STAT! Jimmy John's really saved my life during my college years, and I know he's made a significant impact on your lives as well.
9. Chicken Tenders and Nuggets
Don't you even try to tell me for one single second that you didn't eat chicken nuggets or tenders at least once a week if not more!! It's one of those foods that you can never really go wrong with, it's like a safe haven in a restaurant that you hate. Dip them in some honey mustard, drench them in hot sauce like they do in Nashville, or completely coat them in Irish Gold sauce from Innisfree. Chick-fil-A really makes it easy for me to live off of these things too.
10. Brunch
College kids are brunch enthusiasts. We love to hit up local brunch spots to indulge in some awesome breakfast/lunch fusions while we sip on mimosas and bloody mary's! In Tuscaloosa brunch is a hassle to deal with sometimes because of how crowded it gets every weekend, but it's so worth the hour-long wait. Side note: I highly recommend Another Broken Egg's Mediterranean potatoes...talk about a life changing experience at brunch! Brunch has gotten us through hangovers, been the perfect way to catch up with friends after church, and it's just down right delicious!
11. Chick-fil-A
Can you really go wrong with a chicken sandwich, lemonade and waffle fries?! The answer is obviously no! If it was in the little food courts on campus, or going to the double drive-thru we probably spent a small fortune trying to satisfy our cravings before it's Sunday and it's closed again.
