My dining hall shuts at 8, and my Tuesday lab runs until 8:40, so I've basically been building a second pantry in a backpack pocket. Current lineup: tuna pouches (the ones with a pull tab, not a can), roasted chickpeas, those shelf-stable milk boxes, and a bag of soy nuts that my roommate says looks like gravel.
Budget is roughly $12 a week for the backup stash, which is less than two sad late-night delivery orders, so I'm calling it a win. The cottage cheese cups are the only thing that needs a fridge and they're gone by Wednesday anyway.
Small confession: I bought a rotisserie chicken thinking I'd shred it for the week and instead ate most of it standing over the sink at 11pm. No regrets, just data.
What's your no-cook, room-temperature, doesn't-need-a-stove backup? Bonus points if it doesn't taste like a punishment.