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About the Blogger

We’ve all attempted it at least once before. Those Pinterest perfect, healthy recipes that seem simple enough at first, but quickly reveal complicated procedures and an endless ingredient list. Not ideal for a college student who is eternally on a time crunch. Let’s be honest, you’re not going to be grating fresh Parmesan or garnishing instant Ramen with parsley you picked from your windowsill garden. I know this because I’m not going to do any of that either. I started this blog for those of you who are like me: simplistic and hungry. I want to share easy, healthy, and tasty recipes that can be enjoyed, all from the comfort of a dorm room.

My name is Allison Cook and I am a sophomore Nutrition and Dietetics student. It took me a very long time to decide my major, but I inevitably decided to go with my gut. Literally. Food has always been my favorite way to connect with others, and what better platform than a blog!

I am passionate about academics, now more than ever because I am honing the skills of a RDN. I would like to use this blog to broadcast the information I am learning at University to those who just want a little insider information. I am learning so much about the human body and the food we use to fuel ourselves, and so far I am still insatiable for that knowledge.

I am currently still in school, so I will try to keep up with blogging as much as possible. If you want to keep up with me let’s connect on my other platforms!

Thanks for checking out Dorm Room Dietetics, let me know what you would like to see from the blog in the future!

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Hidden Gems of Nashville, TN

The Gallivanter

Future Famous Country Singers, Broadway Bridesmaids, and really freakin hot, hot chicken. That’s right, today we’re talking about Nashville, TN.

During my undergraduate days, I lived fairly close to “Music City”. At the time, Nashville was the first big city I ever visited. I’ll never forget how the cityscape on the drive-in took my breath away (it never got old).

Any spare afternoon and almost every weekend, my friends and I would make our way down to Nashville to totally tourist it up.

But we Gallivanters can’t help ourselves, we want to live like the locals and make our mark on the cities we visit in a new way.

So here are some of my favorite things to do when in Nashville, TN.

#TimeToGetNashty

#OhYeah

Food

I will tell it to you straight, I’ve had both Hattie B’s and Prince’s and both do Nashville hot chicken justice. But if you…

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New Personal Blog – The Gallivanter

Hey everyone! I hope you all are having a great 2023 so far.

For me, I’m so thankful that 2023 is going to bring a world of new beginnings and opportunities.

I started DormRoomDietetics in 2019 while I was an undergraduate dietetics student living in a dorm, who wanted to share the knowledge of health, wellness, and how to make the most of your mini fridge.

Four years after starting this blog, I am now in my dietetic internship, and one step closer to becoming Allison Cook, RDN!

With that being said, I have loved blogging, but I feel as though I have grown out of the dorm room, and into the real world.

I love the field of dietetics, but also love to travel, cook, read and share those experiences with others.

So I am so happy to announce that I have started a new blog page: The Gallivanter! The Gallivanter is my new personal blog that I hope to use to connect with others who share my interests.

If you want to continue reading my thoughts on health and wellness, along with lifestyle topics and travel experiences, I’d love for you to join me on The Gallivanter.

Thank you so much for checking out the blog! Check out some of my other blog posts to learn how to make the most of your mini-fridge 🙂

-Allison

The Future of Dorm Room Dietetics (spoiler alert: there is one)

Hello everyone! As some of you who have been following my RD2B Journey know, I am about to graduate from college with my Bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics. It has been an incredibly incredible four years, and I can say that I have been fulfilled by my college experiences. I learned so much about nutrition and “health” that I have so enjoyed sharing with all of you.

So the bad news first. When I first started this blog, I had one aspiration: to show college students living in their dorms how to “make the most of their mini-fridges.” I feel that as a sophomore living in an on-campus facility, I was able to share my undergraduate nutrition knowledge and my personal tips and tricks in order to authentically do so. Now, as a senior living off-campus who is about to graduate, I’m afraid I can only give advice from past experience and won’t be able to do that part of my mission statement justice.

Now the good news, I’ve decided to think of my growth from the start of this blog as nothing but a great thing. I hope to continue to share the nutrition knowledge that I have learned and will learn in my Graduate program to continue to encourage and educate undergraduate nutrition students, or just health conscience peeps in their unique wellness journey’s.

Now the great news, I have been making some edits to the layout of this blog to include some RD2B freebies, as well as some RD2B merchandise. I thought this would be a way to dedicate this blog to my time as an undergraduate and share what I learned with all of you! I have included some pretty in-depth personal study guides for all of your hardest dietetics courses such as Advanced Nutrition, MNT I and MNT II. I have also included a DI interview Crash Course for this who are interested in applying for an internship that focuses on Clinical Nutrition.

Thanks for checking out the blog, come back next time to learn how to make the most of your mini-fridge and follow my RD2B Journey!!

-Allison Cook

I Got Matched! To my #1 choice for an internship…

Hello everyone! I have amazing news: I got matched! For those who don’t know, I am in my undergrad pursing my degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in the hopes of becoming a Registered Dietitian. In order to become a Registered Dietitian, you also have to complete a dietetic internship from an accredited school or program. I applied for internships this past February and just found out that I got matched to my first choice!

This is a pretty big deal for multiple reasons. First and most importantly is that I get to continue on my journey to become a Registered Dietitian! Secondly, getting matched to any internship is something to celebrate, as the match rate for students tends to be around 70%. Finally, getting matched to your first choice is not common and is so incredibly exciting.

The program that I matched to is an M.S./DI program. I didn’t always know that I wanted to pursue my Master’s Degree, but this program is incredible and my master’s would be in Clinical Nutrition, which aligns with my career goals. Annnndddddd there is the added bonus that by the year 2024 in order to sit for the RD exam, you have to have a Master’s degree.

This program lasts 2 years, the first year you take graduate level courses and the second you get to do your internship rotations. In the end, I will have my Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and have completed my requirements to sit for the RD exam.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, but I also want to brag a little on myself and the hard work it took to get here. For more information about what I did in preparation for applying to dietetic internships, feel free to go read my other blog post, “What I’m doing to prepare for DICAS.” I’m by no means saying that what I did is the only way to get an internship. Everyone’s on a different journey to become an RD and we all want different programs – that’s what makes all RD’s unique! If you’re looking for a good place to start or way’s to build up your resume/application, go read that post and let me know your thoughts.

I just wanted to say thank you for reading/subscribing to the blog and coming with my on my RD journey. I hope to continue frequent updates about my life and sharing the nutrition knowledge that I gain along the way.

Thanks for checking out the blog! Come back next time to learn more ways to make the most of your mini-fridge.

Abs and Acid Re-flux: Listening to Your Body

PREFACE

Hello friends! It feels so good to be back on the blog. I have had lot’s of life changes since my last post. For starters, I no longer live in a dorm! I know, I’m a fraud. I MUST change the name of the entire blog immediately for authenticity’s sake…no way the name is too good and that tag line is too catchy.

Just because I no longer live in a dorm doesn’t mean I will now be making intricate meals. I’m very much still a full time student with a part time job and little to no free time! With that being said, although I have more storage space and my fridge isn’t so mini anymore, I will continue with my usual content. IF anything, I would love to make a whole post on meal prepping a week’s worth of healthy options for those grab and go days. Let me know in the comments if you would be interested in that!

Okay, back to regularly scheduled programming.

Today I wanted to talk about something that in my opinion is so so so important when talking about our health: listening to our bodies. You can be extremely educated about proper nutrition and exercise and still forget to just listen to what your body is telling you it needs. I definitely fall into the category. Specifically when it comes to exercise.

There have been multiple occasions when I would get my daily dose of exercise no matter the circumstance. If I had a lot of homework, or if I was super sore, even if I felt sick (big no no no especially right now), I would still make it to the gym and exhaust myself further.

The worst thing I was doing was when I would try and workout my core, specifically my abs, right after eating! It made me feel horrible during and after but I just HAD to hit the gym that second. I continued to do this for several weeks and just pushed through the pain. One day, when I was doing my workout I started to feel a burning in my chest and throat. I ignored it, but a lump in my throat stayed with me for the next few hours, and when I went to eat again, swallowing was very difficult, and even a little painful with the sense of a lump in my throat.

Once I told my mom what was going on, she explained that it sounded like acid re-flux, which she also struggled with. Acid reflux, for those who may not know, is when stomach acid travels upward into the esophagus and irritates that inner lining. The acid is too harsh for the esophagus and can cause burning and scarring. My mother eventually got to the point where chocking on food was so common, that she had to go to the doctor to have her esophagus stretched.

The thought of having something like acid reflux at 21 years old was very frightening, but also eye opening. It made me realize that we only get one body, so we have to take care of it. It will be with us the rest of our lives and we will have to deal with what we put it through. We HAVE to listen to what our body tells us it needs, and no matter how stubborn or determined we are, we have to comply.

I am stubborn, but I have learned that our body’s are smart, and they will tell you what is up if you are just willing to listen. For anyone else struggling with this, please feel free to leave some advice in the comments below. I know I will be doing more research on this from a nutrition side of things, while also picking up my copy of “Intuitive Eating” for a refresh.

Thank you so much for checking out the blog! Come back soon to find out how to make the most of your mini fridge!

Aldi with Allison: My Shopping List

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Dorm Room Dietetics where I want to show college students like myself how to make the most of their mini-fridge. I have to confess that I have upgraded my fridge game a bit and now live off-campus in an apartment with 3 other roommates! With that being said, I am still limited to the amount of space I have, so I can still relate to that aspect of dorm life.

I wanted to start this as a regular segment on the blog because as a dietetics student, I LOVE grocery shopping. Aldi is perfect for college students on a budget, you simply cannot beat their price compared to Kroger, Trader Joe’s, even Walmart! Also, for someone who makes a conscious effort to live my life more sustainability, Aldi encourages shoppers to bring their own reusable grocery bags or you can buy paper bags at check-out.

When I first started shopping at Aldi, I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming. None of the brands were my regulars and I was going out on a limb and just hoping they were good. So each item on this list has been something I keep going back for because it is just that good. I hope that this shopping list of my favorite fridge and pantry staples will be by your side the next time you shop at Aldi.

FRUITS AND VEGGIES

If I’m at Aldi my staples are one large bunch of bananas, strawberries, and some honeycrisp apples!

Aldi also carries several different types of Romaine lettuce, but I love their 3 pack of romaine hearts for salads and wraps

EGGS, MEAT, MEAT alternatives and DAIRY

Chicken Salad $3.69: Aldi has 4-packs of to-go chicken salads that are great on the go or to throw in with your lunch box

Meatless Meatballs $3.89: The Italian flavored meatless meatballs have been a repeated purpose of mine for pasta and sliders

Applewood Farm’s Turkey Bacon $1.89: This is an amazing deal for anyone looking for pork alternatives

SWEETS AND SNACKS

French Lemonade $2.19: This is the first time I have ever had carbonated lemonade, and I am NEVER going back! Aldi also has this in pink lemonade.

Dark Chocolate Belgian Chunks $2.49: These dark chocolate chunks are going to replace your average chocolate chips in all cookies and sweets!

PANTRY STAPLES

Chia Seeds 12 oz. $3.25: Aldi was one of the only places that sold chia seeds at a reasonable price. I love chia seed pudding or in overnight oats for texture

Chicken Tikka Marsala Sauce $2.35: I love indian food, and I never imagined I would be able to make it at home. This is an incredible sauce for homemade Chicken Tikka Masala

Thanks for checking out the blog! As you may know, Aldi commonly cycles products in and out so I will update this list every so often, and feel free to let me know in the comments what products you would like me to try from Aldi. Come back next time to find more ways to make the most of your mini-fridge!

What I’m Doing to Prepare for DICAS

Happy Match Month everyone! I hope that you are all doing well and that you are taking deep, deep breathes if you or a loved one have recently applied to DICAS.

For those of you not in the know or who aren’t aware, DICAS is the online application portal for dietetics students to apply for internships throughout the nation. It is a rigorous application that will determine if you get a dietetic internship, which is required to become an RDN. Graduating seniors or those who are reapplying submit their applications in early February and find out the first of April if they’ve “matched” to a dietetic internship.

Seem like a stressful March? Probably. I’ll let you know in 365 days when I apply 🙂 The only thing that I find comfort in is that I know I am doing everything in my power to make my application as strong as possible in order to be matched where I belong. I’ve made the practice personal statements and pasted the words, “match to a dietetic internship” on my vision board, but what else can I do?


Here are some of the ways I have come up with to strengthen my application now, so that I can rest easy next year.

Side note: if you are not doing what I’m doing, that does not mean you won’t get an internship. Every RD2B is different and that is not a bad thing. We all have different goals and therefore our application and where we are applying should look unique!

  • Work as a Dietary Aide
    • This was the #1 thing recommended by everyone I knew when I asked how to strengthen my DICAS application. It’s a great job for students and an amazing opportunity to get valuable experience in the field before you even graduate! I’ve heard from current dietetic interns that this experience really helps in your clinical rotations.
  • Start a Food Blog
    • Starting a blog is not only a great way to practice and hone your writing skills, It also gives you an outlet to share your new found nutrition knowledge on a level you are comfortable with. Starting Dorm Room Dietetics has given me a creative outlet to teach my peers to make the most of their mini-fridges.
  • Join different clubs and organizations to diversify yourself
    • Whether or not you plan on becoming an RDN who has to apply for an internship, clubs and organizations are a major part of the college experience. If you can’t find one you enjoy, create your own.
  • Take on leadership roles
    • I know for a fact this is an important part of the DICAS application, so get started now! Grow in your clubs and organizations and become an integral part of them.
  • Volunteer in your community
    • Volunteering is a critical part of preparing for your internship applications. You can find many opportunities on your campus, but I want to encourage you to branch out within your community and volunteer where you see the greatest need. I am from a food insecure region of Kentucky that lit my spark for community work and it has fulfilled me in so many ways.
  • Research and write papers related to your goal field
    • If you are interested in a graduate program, research studies would look great on your application! Many professors take on students to assist them with their research and publishing’s, if you are interested in one you should definitely look into it.
  • Get personal with your professors
    • Your application will require some letters of recommendation from any employers or professors you have, so it’s a good idea to get personal with them so that they know who you are when they consider writing you one! Quick tip: if there are some aspects of your life they might not know that you would want in your letter, set up a meeting with them, take them out for coffee or just write them a personal letter yourself.
  • Have a minor
    • This is a great way for students to set themselves apart and demonstrate their time management skills. I am minoring in Anthropology, which is the study of humans throughout all times and places they have existed! It’s stays incredibly interesting and diversifies my course load throughout each semester.
  • Research dietetic internships
    • Knowing what you should do to prepare to apply includes knowing where you want to apply! I was told that where you get matched is exactly where you were meant to be. Programs can last anywhere from a few months to two years, so research, research, research!
  • Talk to current RDN’s
    • RDN’s are a much better resource of finding ways to prepare for DICAS because they have already been successful at it. They are who you want to be, so ask them how they got where they are!
  • Utilize Linkedin connections
    • Don’t sleep on the different ways to use linkedin! If I can connect with someone in my dream program or goal field, I can learn from them! You can professionalize this account and use it to apply for different jobs now, that you may be able to put on your DICAS. It’s also like an instagram/twitter resume.

Thank you so much for checking out the blog! Come back soon to find more ways to make the most of your mini-fridge!

Allison Cook

Hustle, Bustle and Vitamin B12

Recently, something has been happening with my health that has brought back that spark for why I started this blog in the first place, to educate college students like myself on the importance of healthy habits and good nutrition.

Well if only I had taken my own advice.

This semester has been one for the books. I am taking almost 18 hours, working part-time and transitioning into leadership rolls within my clubs and organizations. All of that on top of trying to stay healthy by working out and attempting to get 7/8 hours of sleep left me with little down time to just check in with myself. I was waking up at 5:30 am to workout and getting to bed after studying and doing homework around 12:00 am.

I was so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, that I forgot to check in with my body and self access my health. Then, one evening before I had to run off to another meeting, I felt like I was about to faint. I thought it may be from the lack of sleep from the night before when I stayed up studying for an another nutrition exam, so I just laid down a bit and “powered through.” A few days passed and the fatigue did not subside. The next thing I knew I could stand up without getting dizzy and needing to sit down.

I was convinced something was terribly wrong, and decided to go get some blood work done. I asked them if they would check my iron, because I suspected some form of anemia due to my knowledge of nutrition. A few days later I got a frantic call from the clinic urging me to go pick up my new twice daily prescription of iron and Vitamin B12. They also recommended I start a weekly B12 shots. For those of you in the field of nutrition of healthcare, you know that this is a common prescription regiment for vegans, or elderly patience who no longer have the intrinsic factor for B12.

Although I am not vegan or vegetarian or elderly, I just hadn’t been able to maintain a balanced diet and make sure I was getting what I needed.

It was upsetting, because I should know better than anyone the importance of getting your recommended amount of meat/animal products. It was a blessing in disguise and a major reality check: I was pushing myself too hard.

I enjoy the hustle and bustle of life, but not at the cost of my health.

Nutrient deficiency’s are topic of major discussion within my major and in healthcare. To find out I had two of them was very scary. Iron and B12 deficiencies’ are actually more common than you may think. According to Hematology.org, iron deficiency is one of the most common amongst women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. Check and Check.

I am proud to say after 3 long months of vitamin supplements, booster shots and lots of sausage patties that both my iron and B12 levels are back to normal!!

This is just one more example of how important it is what RDN’s do. I got to experience first hand the thoughts and feelings of someone struggling with a nutrition problem. I can proudly say that I will be a better RDN in the future for it. As strange as it sounds, I found comfort in a diagnosis. It gave the problem a name and a face I could use to understand how to get better, and I hope that I may be the RDN who can give that to someone else.

Thanks so much for checking out the blog! Come back next week to find out how to make the most of your mini-fridge.

-Allison Cook

The Importance

Hello everyone! Long time no blog 🙂 It has been well over a year since my last posting and I owe all of my subscribers and casual readers an explanation. The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected everyone on earth in different ways this past year and taken millions of lives. The pandemic has challenged me and forced me to grow in a new and hazardous environment and reevaluate if a healthcare career in the face of a health pandemic is all I had imagined.

Before the pandemic started, I had just been hired as a dietary aide at a local hospital. I was so excited to begin a career in dietetics and get real work experience in that field. I was hired in March of 2020, mere days before the first reported case of COVID-19 in the United States. My university canceled our in-person classes and evicted us from our dorms. The next thing I knew I wasn’t living in my college town anymore. I was back home in my childhood bedroom, naïve of the severity of what was going on in major cities like at my University and at my new place of employment.

I had made an obligation to my job, and so I found an apartment in the city so I could start work.

I was hired in March as PRN and started in June as a frontline healthcare worker during a pandemic.

I was shocked at what I witnessed in the first few weeks of working in a hospital during this plague, but it made me realize that a career in healthcare is one of the most selfless things you can do. I saw my coworkers risking their own lives to keep our patient’s safe.

Dietitians, dietary techs and dietary aides alike may not play an obvious role in this pandemic, but everyone is contributing to the health and safety of immunocompromised individuals by showing up to work every day at the risk of their own safety.

It is one of the most noble things I have ever witnessed, and made me realize the importance of what we do.

Thanks so much for subscribing and allowing me to share this experience with you. Next week I would love to talk about my struggle with my personal struggle finding out I have a nutrient defiency.

Come back next week to find out how to make the most of your mini-fridge!

-Allison Cook

Snacks Ideas to Fuel Your Finals Week

(some are even 2 Ingredients or less!)

Y’all already know what time it is…FINALS WEEK. Although this finals week looks different than any other I have ever experienced, it’s still has me feeling stressed: maybe even more so. I don’t know about you, but online tests absolutely make me FREAK out.

As I’ve said before, I am a stress snacker, so today I thought I’d share some more healthy snack ideas to fuel your finals week, or just so you can continue your regular snacking behaviors.

2 Ingredient Bagels

When I found out this bagel recipe only requires two main ingredients, I knew I had to share it on the blog ASAP. All you will need to make this is plain Greek yogurt and self rising flour. This recipe makes about 6 bagels, so if you plan on using them to meal prep you could afford to double it!

  1. Combine 1 cup of Greek Yogurt with 1 cup of self rising flour. Mix until combined and become grainy.
  2. Kneed the dough until smooth.
  3. OPTIONAL: INVOLVES MORE INGREDIENTS I also added in a bunch of poppy seeds and a little garlic salt. You could also use everything seasoning.
  4. Roll into logs and shape into bagels.
  5. For plain bagels brush the top with egg wash. For seasoned add more poppy seeds and garlic salt on top or everything seasoning.
  6. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes
  7. OPTIONAL: broil on top an extra 2 minutes to make your bagels golden brown!
  8. Enjoy!

Blooming Onion Apple

Okay so this one is more idea than recipe, but I just found an apple corer-er and had to find a fun use for it.

  1. Use the apple core-er to slice your apple, do not push all the way through in order to create a bowl.
  2. Either use fruit dip or caramel drizzle to dip your apple slices in!

Greek Yogurt and Blueberry Acai Bowl

  1. In a bowl, start with a base of plain Greek yogurt.
  2. Add in frozen blueberries and mix until combined
  3. Top with granola, or use cheerios as an alternative.
  4. Enjoy!

3 Ingredient Buffalo Chicken Dip

Now this is a finals week snack. This is a recipe I learned from my good friends over at Hilltopper Nutrition, so be sure to check them out to learn more about the nutrition and wellness of college students. All you will need for this recipe is grilled chicken, hot sauce, and of course more Greek Yogurt.

  1. First, shred your grilled chicken and set to the side. If you use two forks and go at it, it really helps.
  2. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of non-fat greek yogurt with 3/4 cup of hot sauce.
  3. Pour the shredded chicken in the bowl and combine.
  4. Enjoy with either pita chips or carrots and celery!

Nutella and Strawberries

Okay so this one is for when you just completed a final and you want to celebrate! I have an real affinity of chocolate covered strawberries, but I don’t have a lot of time. It’s not a recipe at all, but this is something I had never tried before and really enjoyed as a quick snack.

Thank you so much for checking out the blog!

Come back soon to find more ways to make the most of your mini-fridge!

-Allison