Welcome back (or, for you newbies, welcome)! My name is Adina, and I am the writer and creator of CT Cooks! My journey to the freshman 15 and back taught me so much about eating well as a college student. It’s the beginning of the school year and you need to start off on the right foot. Stocking your dorm with yummy healthy snacks will help you avoid picking up too many late-night deep fried snacks from the Pit.
For all the first-year and transfer students out there who don’t know, the most important part of Rochester is Wegmans. Whether it’s the east avenue location or the obviously superior flagship in Pittsford, it’s important to understand that this grocery store is basically the backbone of our society. Forget Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Wegmans will take the number one spot in your heart.
So, go forth! Make a beeline for Weggies and get snacks! Here are some of my top recommendations.
Wegmans brand hummus
When I was surveying people’s favorite snacks from Wegmans, so many immediately said the Wegmans hummus. Which is awesome because one, it’s delicious, and two, hummus is packed with protein, filling, and is really freakin’ good. Whether you get plain, olive, or red pepper, you can’t go wrong.
My recommendation: Pair with baby carrots and Stacy’s Pita Chips.
Wegmans kombucha
The importance of gut health cannot be overstated, and kombucha is an awesome way to add a ton of probiotics into your diet. Bonus: While some brands have flavors that seem fancy for fancy’s sake, Wegmans has tons of approachable flavors for people new to the “booch.”
My recommendation: Raspberry Lemon Ginger.
Granola bars
You really can’t go wrong. Missed breakfast? Problem solved. Hungry after class? No need to stress. Starving while studying? Don’t worry about it. With so many flavors and options, you’ll find your favorite one to be a total lifesaver for any time throughout the day.
My recommendation: Chocolate Peanut Butter Clif Bars for sustained protein.
Cracker Barrel cheddar slices and NYS apples
First of all, cheese. Need I say more? In Rochester we get so spoiled in the fall with gazillions of varieties of local apples. Since you’re here, there is no excuse not to try them all.
Your fave trail mix
A great, filling, munch-any-time, throw-in-your-backpack kind of snack.
My recommendation: Wegmans Orchard Trail Mix with dried cranberries, almonds, dried cherries, raw walnuts and raw pistachios.
Halo Top ice cream
I get it. School is hard, life is stressful, and we are, uh, I don’t know, living through a global pandemic. Sometimes we all just need some ice cream, and I’m not talking about a polite 2/3 cup serving. I’m talking about a straight-out-of-the-pint kind of need for ice cream. Luckily, we don’t have to accept the 1,200 calories that come standard with a pint. With the Halo Top birthday cake at 280 categories a pint, it’s fewer calories than one serving of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food, which comes in at a whopping 390 calories per 2/3 cup.
My recommendations: Birthday cake or red velvet
Salted popcorn
A lot of people don’t know that popcorn is an incredible, low-calorie source of fiber. Next time, skip the butter movie theater style and go for a simply salted version to cut down on fat.
Wegmans peanut butter
Why Wegmans? I couldn’t say for certain. But there’s a special something about this smooth PB that makes it a fan favorite. Me being that fan. Trust me on this one.
Tangerines
They are so easy to throw in your backpack and snack on all the time. (Or if you’re chronically late like me, you can grab one on the way out the door and put it in your jacket pocket before you run across campus to class.)
I hope this list helps get you started. But with the whole year ahead of us (hopefully), there’s plenty of time to try everything if you’re determined enough to tackle Wegmans head on. Happy snacking!
