Nothing says college vending machine dinner like a bag of trail mix.

13 consecutive hours in the confines of school and you left your smarts for the books and the rendering of art projects instead of preparing a meal plan.  What is a foodie to do??  Part of me was tempted to take on the Top Ramen vending machine option into a Top Chef Quick Fire challenge.  Another part of me wanted to just surrender myself into the hands of Frito-Lay: to burn in flames of the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos variety.  But, no, being in college is about bringing on knowledge.  And back in the day, when I had a much higher metabolic rate, I could down Top Ramen AND Cheetos without any consequence.  But, at 30, I know better and nothing says guilt-free like unsalted trail mix, which comes at no more than 260 calories and $0.85 a package.

Anyhoo, the point of all this rambling is point blank: never leave home without some sort of non-perishables, like nuts (there’s always a bag of raw almonds in my car) or dried fruit (personally fond of Craisins myself).  Because, God forbid, you end up sitting through three 4-hour classes back to back where you can’t leave campus for more than 20 minutes at a time and your other closest “tasty” food options besides a vending machine involve chicken wings and Chinese food trademarked by, what else, a panda.  Always be ready in case of starvation and come prepared with healthy options at hand!

For more info on non-perishables you can carry, click here.