For those who thought eating in college would be a cinch; for those who thought that cooking would be so much fun; and for those who thought the saying, “Thou shalt eat ramen for days on end” was a joke—Spoon is here to give you a hug and stroke your formerly naïve head. For a lot of us, college is the first time we have to make or scavenge for our own food, which often times ends in disaster. Even the dining halls are not to be trusted. Simply, they can be horrendous if you don’t know how to navigate. But Spoon is here to help all college students, because we’re for the students, by the students.
Take note of these tweets and our helpful hints to avoid common (or downright awful) dining hall pitfalls.
1. Ramen colon cancer
While the debate of developing cancer from ramen is still out there, consider changing things up and try out this healthy rapini noodle bowl.
2. Shark week in the dining hall
We’re asking the same question… Shark fin soup is bad enough, but faux? Bust open a can of reliable clam chowder, one of the staple comfort foods you should always keep at college.
3. Processed food nightmare
Say goodbye to your fallback, pre-packaged meals and hello to the salad bar. We promise it’s not that scary or unsatisfying if you follow these dining hall hacks.
4. Breakfast of losers.
Scrambled eggs and questionably “oven-toasted” Bagel Bites. Oh, the envy is all ours—but can it compare to our breakfast frittata muffins?
5. Food poison drama.
Girl, we are sorry and we feel for you. #feels. Follow these tips to avoid food poisoning in your own kitchen.
6. You aren’t what you eat.
When food gets questionable, or unidentifiable, make it yourself. This dining hall bruschetta is impressive, yet ingenious.
7. #YOLO?
Seriously though, you do only live once, so whip up this upside down cinnamon French toast from simple ingredients instead of settling for bad, bland food. (Psst. It tastes like Cinnabon.)
8. Bugs life
Oh, now that’s just flat-out gross.
9. Bugs life, the sequel
Maybe they were trying to add in some extra protein? We would rather go the more conventional route with these high-packed protein foods, thanks.
10. Peanut butter overload
It can be hard to be creative with very few resources in the dining halls, but if it’s available, we always turn to the king of everyone’s cuisine: bacon. Try this peanut butter bacon sandwich the next time you find yourself making a PB sandwich.
11. Bacon scraps on scraps
Again, no one can go wrong with bacon. Change up your bacon game in the dining hall and make the best BLT you’ll ever eat (for real). #baconlove #bacon4lyfe
12. Blue bread
It’s safe to say that this is probably no longer edible, but figure out which foods you can still eat even when they start growing fur.
13. Bathroom problems
Whether you are backed up, or not, due to dining hall food, learn about the pros and cons of juice cleanses to give your system a much needed boost.
14. We love you, mom
There’s no place like home. But since you can’t go home during midterms, here are some of our favorite, chef-worthy recipes to ease the homesickness and 100% Spoon approved: vegetarian chili and lemon and garlic Swiss chard.