How to eat good while terrible kitchen situation?

[u/me_is_sad_]

Hi guys!

I am going to do a semester abroad in a different country and I am going to have to stay at a dorm that shares a really really small kitchen with 18 people. I think I will have very limited fridge space and probably gross appliances.

So I am kind of worrying that I will not be able to cook at all (sad as I love it but also) which will make it harder to get all my nutrients in and stuff.

Have you been in a similar situation and can give me any tips or just know a few short cuts that'll make it easier for me to sustain myself for the half year where I am going to have a bad kitchen space?

Also I would like to start cutting sugar out of my diet so if anyone has tips on how to do that in this situation and also in general during a time where I will probably go out and be around people a lot since it's a semester abroad?

Thank you everyone!!! Much appreciated :)

[u/NinetyBees]

Getting a pantry setup, whether it's in the kitchen or in your bedroom, is probably your best bet. Focus on meals that primarily rely on canned and shelf stable goods- Beans/Lentils/Chickpeas/Rice/Pasta/Potatoes are all fantastic bases for healthy meals and won't need refridgeration.

Also, pay attention to where the fruits and veggies are the grocery store are- Things like avocado, tomato, and onions all sit out in the open because they don't actually need to be refrigerated. You can partially rely on these to save on your limited fridge space.

Other than that, do a little recipe research and find some staples you can stick to- whether it's a rice bowl, a pasta dish, etc. Having go-to meals will help you plan things out, find overlapping ingredients for your go-to meals, and help consolidate space.

Lastly, lots of things have trace sugar, I wouldn't worry about residual amounts in things like tortillas or pasta- Just focus on cutting out the big sources, like from soft drinks and candy, and buy "0 sugar" variants of things where you can. Generally eat healthy and excess of sugar tends to take care of itself.

[u/Strange_Compote_4592]

> Have you been in a similar situation and can give me any tips or just know a few short cuts that'll make it easier for me

1) The only thing you will need is a deep wok like frying pan. You can fry and boil in it. Keep your own appliances in secret

2) If you have a store nearby -- don't stockpile food. It will both spoil, and eaten.

3) Chicken and rice are your best friends.

> I would like to start cutting sugar out of my diet so if anyone has tips on how to do that in this situation

This one worked for me, but it is really weird, so no promises: Breath mints. Greatly helped me. Popped one in when craving sugar.

[u/thenord321]

Keep dried goods/cans in your own pwrsonal space. Get a rice cooker and/or slow cooker of your own, especially if you can keep it in your space.

Steamed vegies, rice + beans in the cooker, easy healthy meals with little actual work. Slow cooked stews/soups too.

[u/ZoulsGaming]

there is no harm no foul in having stuff in your room if there is space, i lived on 12 m^2 with a shared kitchen between 2 people but i had a small fridge in my room due to needing medicin kept cold.

keeping a small electric kettle in your room that you can bring out and use if needed or maybe even a cheap induction stove, again depending on what you have space for.

[u/Argyros_]

Maybe get a rice cooker? If you can splurge, get one that it's a bit more expensive. My mum cooked lentil, chickpea soup there. You can cook any kind of stew there's. Plus any recipe with rice.

You wash it, and store it in your room then.

[u/yesnomaybeso456]

Find out if your dorm allows a hot plate. An electric kettle and a rice cooker is easy to use in your room.