When it comes to being in college, the quality of food isn’t exactly on the top of the priority list. In fact, anything that tastes good or can be eaten on the go usually trumps the nutrition value. So, there’s no wonder why so many college students end up feeling sick or malnourished after only a few weeks of being at college. Since money is a huge concern for college students, there are a few ways you can utilize your budget while still eating healthier meals. These ten tips will help you beat the top ramen blues, so you can become a quick, easy and cheap eater without having to sacrifice your taste buds or your favorite cravings.
1. Enjoy Water
One of the best ways to cut down on your urge to snack is to drink plenty of water. Water fills the stomach without adding extra calories to your diet, which is great on many levels. Plus, water helps filter out the toxins in the body, which will keep your healthier even if you’re eating poorly. If you find yourself eating too much at meals, then drink a glass of water before you eat. It will jump start your metabolism and make you feel like you’ve had plenty to eat. Thus, when you do buy food, it will last longer. The best thing about water is you should be able to get it for free around campus at water fountains, or in your cafeteria. If there is a charge for water, then it might be wise to buy bottles in bulk or grab a portable container with a built in filter. This should handle most of your needs for a price that won’t take away from your entertainment budget.
2. Reduced Price Produce
If you tend to be a healthy eater or you find yourself getting sick a lot, then you might want to look around the reduced price area in your local grocery store. Usually, this food is about to meet its expiration date and the store needs to clear it as soon as possible, so the price is dropped substantially. Using this method will cut down on your food budget quite a bit and won’t leave you starved for nutrients. You should keep an eye out for both fruits and vegetables though, so you get an even balance to your meal. Fruits are perfect for snacking, but are also great for infusing water, especially if you’re beginning to feel sick. If you’re living on cheap oatmeal for breakfast, then this is also a great way to spice things up. The ramen diet won’t be as bad with reduced price vegetable add ine. Of course, if you’re looking to eat healthier, then you can work around the produce to find a recipe that’s quick, simple and cheap.
3. Fat Food Isn’t the Answer
Sure, it’s hard to get around the lure of indulging in your fast food cravings, especially when you’re in college. With no one to cook meals and the cafeteria not always appetizing, fast food may feel like the best option to turn to, especially with more chains having dollar menus worthy of exploration. However, if you plan on staying healthy in college or at least keeping to your budget then fast food is not the way to go. It may be a dream to live on pizza alone, but before you know it the calories and the dollars will add up. Not to mention, a fast food diet will leave your body feeling sick in no time at all. If you’re an athlete, you may notice you’ve slowed down a bit, whereas less active students might feel fatigued or notice a weaker immune system. Plus, these foods are addictive, which means you’re going to want to eat them often and you’re probably going to gradually want to buy more and more items.
4. Know Your Body
Part of growing up is discovering what makes you tick. Food is a big part of this, so while you’re in college you may want to think about what your body needs and how you feel when you eat certain foods. There’s no cheat sheet to this either, as everyone’s body tends to work differently. However, there are a few things you can count on, in most cases. For instance, grease tends to be terrible for your skin and can really make you feel foggy and downright unhappy. Eggs are a great food if you’re in need of a boost for studying or you have a test to take. Grains are perfect for long days where you need the extra boost of energy. This food may be best when you have back to back classes all day and can’t catch a break to eat. For most people, sugar isn’t a great thing to keep in the system either. Too much sugar can lead to some major health problems down the line. Of course, you should experiment with adding and subtracting foods from your diet to see which foods you should be eating. This alone will help you cut down on spending, as you will be able to plan the most efficient diet plan for you.
5. Get a Griddle
Dorm rooms can be small and if you don’t have a shared kitchen cooking for yourself may seem near impossible. Microwaves take up way too much space as do indoor burners, so one solution to this crisis is the griddle. This flat top cooking machine will allow you to make some of the best breakfast food in the dorm. You’ll be able to whip up pancakes, eggs and even the almighty bacon for all of your friends in no time. Of course, that’s not its only specially. Griddles are perfect for hamburgers, steaks, chicken, grilled veggies and the ever so famous grilled cheese. You should be able to whip up your favorite cheap meals without skipping a beat. The best thing is, the griddle will fit on your desk when in use and can be moved to under the bed, a corner or just about anywhere else thanks to its slim design. They’re really easy to clean too and you can purchase attachments to make all sorts of other foods.
6. Microwaveable Meals
If you have room for a microwave, then it could be a valuable alley when it comes to your food situation. This doesn’t mean that you get to eat ramen every single day though. The microwave opens up a world of possibilities that will allow you to enjoy a wider range of nutritious foods. Today, there’s a lot of frozen meals on the market. Some of these aren’t the best for you, while others are oddly health conscious. Simply read the labels and go from there. Another great concept that has become popular recently is one mug meals. There’s a whole lot of recipes out there that can be cooked in one simple mug. From macaroni and cheese to your favorite desserts, you name it there’s a recipe. If you don’t have a mug, or you want to make a big portion, don’t sweat it as some of these meals can be made in a bowl too. You can also make steamed vegetables, spaghetti and rice in the microwave, which will make life easy when you’re trying to keep it on a budget.
7. Handle Stress
When it comes to budgeting money for food, stress can really put a wrench in the plans. Stress eating can cause you to make poor decisions on the food you buy, or it could cause you to eat more. If you find your grocery bill growing in price, then you might want to stop and evaluate how bad your stress levels are. You can easily reduce your stress levels though, especially with your college campus as a resource. Try going to the gym or taking a yoga class to work out the tension. If you’re still having trouble, then talk to a guidance counselor or your room advisor. There’s also lots of places to go on campus for calm meditation. Crafts are another simple way to take away stress that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. With this problem under control, you should be able to minimize your calorie intake.
8. Take Vitamins
If you’re living on a ramen diet, or something equally as bad for you then it might be time to consider vitamins. Highly processed foods rarely have the nutrients you need to survive. In fact, you can become malnourished by eating them, which will really put pressure on your studies and your livelihood. A simple multi-vitamin is probably one of the best routes to take, but if you know your body needs something else then don’t worry about going there too. Most schools will cover this problem in the on-campus health center, so try to make an appointment there. Sometimes, the on-call doctors will even prescribe the vitamins to you so you can get them for next to nothing. If you do need to buy the vitamins, then consider doing so at a bulk store so you can get more for your money.
9. Avoid Vending Machines
Vending machines can be a huge trap when it comes to college students. They can be found outside of classes, near door rooms and around just about any activity. They’re filled with junk food and sodas, unless you’re lucky enough to have the salad vending machines. Plus, the prices have been heavily escalated, so they earn more money. The thing is, they’re convenient. So, a lot of the time hungry students will pay the extra cost for the junk food just to satisfy their hunger or thirst. This can be a quick way to lose a lot of money though. Luckily, it’s easy to avoid the vending machine’s call by simply carrying a drink and a snack with you. Your favorite snacks can easily be bought in bulk and a simple reusable water bottle will ensure you’re covered for the day. With snack time taken care of, you can save your quarters for doing laundry.
10. Sign Up For a Meal Card
A lot of students end up avoiding the meal card plan for their school because they think the food will be gross or simply that they could eat cheaper without a card. Although if you do plan on living on a ramen diet it might actually be cheaper, but buying healthy foods will never beat the price of the meal card. These cards allow you to eat one to three meals in the cafeteria a day, so even if you want to go with the cheaper one meal a day plan, you will at least get the option of one healthy meal per day. Most cafeterias have a wide assortment of foods too, so you won’t be stuck eating the same garbage you were fed in high school. In fact, you may find that the food is sometimes even appetizing. If your scholarship or student grants will cover your meal plan then it’s a no-brainer move anyway. You won’t want to be shy on meals after the first couple of weeks of school because it will make concentration a major problem.
Being a student is tough enough as it is, so don’t make eating your worst enemy. There’s many ways to enjoy your meals without having to fork over a lot of money, so stop stressing. With these ten tips you’ll have more options than oriental or chicken ramen, which will make your life as a student a little more manageable.
