Looking for foods that are healthy and can function well either on the go or in a dorm room or apartment?

We wanted to figure out which products work best for college students, so our U Chic bloggers tested out Kashi products to give you the 411.

Here’s what they had to say!
By Rachael Smith, Student at Radford University

Go Lean Crisp!
Like most, I enjoy cereal for a quick breakfast in the mornings before work and school. Unless you are one of the few who can sleep in until lunchtime, you are probably running on a schedule. That’s what makes cereal so great: It’s quick and easy. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Kashi makes sure its products are substantial.

I’ve grown out of eating Fruit Loops, so I want a cereal that has bold tastes and what I need to keep my body going all morning. I love Cinnamon Crumble the best because its great with milk or dry on the go. I don’t eat a ton of meat, so I need that extra protein boost and this Go Lean cereal has 10 grams of it, which is as much as an egg! Sometimes, healthy foods are expensive and hard to come by in a college town’s grocery store, but Kashi is everywhere and is not that expensive.

Steam Meals:
Recently, Kashi has introduced steam meals and I loved the Chicken Fettuccine meal. It was fast and in no way tasted like it was from a bag. I love carbs, so I enjoy pasta from time to time, but I try to stay away from it too because it’s full of … carbs! This steam meal was packed in with all-natural white chicken with broccoli, tomatoes and yellow zucchini. On top is a delicious white wine parmesan sauce. Getting sick of the dining halls? Grab a Steam Meal for an inexpensive night in!

I also tried the Pesto Pasta Primavera. This was a decent microwave meal but ended up looking nothing like the box. This was still a great meal, but I wish there had been a little more cheese offered. However, it still satisfied my taste buds, and it definitely beats trying to cook for one for a night! This meal is piled on with yummy veggies like yellow carrots, red peppers and peas mixed in with basil pesto sauce. What is so great about all of the Kashi meals is how much grains are incorporated!

By Tracey Rector, Alumna of IUPUI

Kashi Thin Crust Four Cheese Pizza:
I was a little skeptical when I took the pizza out of the box because it doesn’t look like your typical cheese pizza right away.  It includes a blend of provolone, mozzarella, white cheddar and fontina cheeses and part of the cheese was actually a round slice as opposed to being shredded and sprinkled on.

I set it on a perforated pizza pan to see if it would make the crust a little crispier and popped it in the oven. The directions advised to cook it from 10 to 12 minutes. My oven cooks a little faster and I took it out after 10 minutes with the top of the cheese being pretty browned (but not burned).

When I took my first bite, I was surprised by a blast of flavor – much more flavor than any other regular boxed cheese pizza. It was definitely a mix of everything.

Kashi says its pizza crust is made with its signature blend of Kashi seven whole grains and sesame with flax seed. It’s said to be wood-fired to bring out natural flavors. I would never expect to notice that, because you see phrases like that on a ton of other boxed pizzas, but with this one I could definitely notice a difference in the way the crust tasted. It was also really fresh, too. I was also really surprised that despite using a perforated pizza pan, the crust wasn’t as crispy. Maybe that’s why it tasted so fresh.

The sauce wasn’t slapped on thick, so the pizza wasn’t messy. That’s something I really appreciate, as I enjoy pizza with a little less sauce. However, even though it didn’t have tons of sauce, it was packed with a lot of flavor, too.

Overall, it’s a great pizza, and I’ll definitely buy again. It’s big enough that it can be shared with a roommate (maybe pick up some breadsticks) or saved in the refrigerator for leftovers.

By Ashley Yenick, Student at Merrimack College

Kashi Soft-Baked Squares:
During the school day it’s hard to find time in between classes to eat an actual meal unless you get a break. It’s so hard to even eat healthy when you have such little time. if you’re like me, you just get something that you can grab and go. I tried out the Kashi Soft-Baked Squares.

The whole brand of Kashi is based on seven whole grains and each product is made carefully with each. There are two kinds of the squares: chocolate and almond. Since they’re packed with fiber and whole grains, it’s guaranteed to keep you fuller longer and helps you pay attention in class.

The chocolate squares satisfy my sweet tooth and is healthy for me, so I was all over it! The chocolate squares taste like brownies and makes you forget that you’re eating healthy. The almond squares have a great taste to them as well – they’re a bit more crunchy and a little bit sweeter.

I don’t even have a favorite because I love both kinds. I had a square and timed myself when I felt hungry again. Because of all its nutrients and fiber, I felt full for almost two hours – the length of an entire lecture.

These Kashi squares are great on the go and they’re so delicious! It’s a win-win!
​By Amanda Cross, Student at the University of Central Arkansas

Kashi Pita Crisps:
I loved trying the Original Sea Salt and Zesty Salsa pita crisps from Kashi. They are unbelievably tasty. With a serving size of 11 pita crisps and 120 calories for both flavors, you can easily transfer the crisps into a sandwich bag for portability. These make a good snack because they will remind you of eating chips because of the crispiness, but these are way better for you than your traditional bag of chips.

The original sea salt crisps are great if you are a fan of the regular potato chip and want something a bit healthier, but if you like hot chips, then Zesty Salsa has a lot of flavor and a bit of kick at the end. Either way you go, these chips are addicting, so if you can stop at just the serving size, you are very lucky.

Kashi Layered Granola Bars – Peanutty Dark Chocolate Bars:
I really like the granola bars from Kashi. They are super appropriate for back to school because of their small individual packaging. They can slide in your purse or bag for an on-the-go snack. Plus, they are a healthy and tasty alternative to some of the snacks you can get at a vending machine at school. These 130-calorie bars are packed with fiber and protein and pack quite a punch for such a small bar. Kashi also offers Pumpkin Pecan and Dark Chocolate Coconut granola bars as well.