Calling all College Kids! What are you guys eating?

musicmint

With such a busy schedule and the demand for perfect grades....how do you guys find the time to make healthy meals...or what do you buy to fit budget??

rainbows1994

I lived in dorms for my first year. All I ate was fruits and veggies out of the mini fridge and for dinner I would make healthy requests at the cafeteria. I was hungry all of the time but I would not stoop down to eat all the junk that is constantly surrounding you at the dorms.

musicmint

So you were able to study hard and be hungry???

kganc001

I'm a grad student, and my fiancee is halfway towards his PhD...needless to say, we're busy...ALL THE TIME. Haha I make our meals for the week on Sundays (usually). I make 3-4 meals and they usually last. This week I have turkey burgers (keep them raw in the freezer and then thaw and put them in a pan/george foreman), stuffed red bell peppers, and quinoa and black beans. Because I make food in such large batches, my meals cost under $2 per serving. Also, value size frozen bags of veggies, large tubs of yogurt, frozen fruits, and fresh veg. I go shopping 1 time every 2 weeks, and spend $50 per trip....we're broke. But we eat healthy and we aren't hungry.

Also, I buy meat / fish in bulk. Frozen fish and then fresh meat and keep both in the freezer until ready to use.

We also keep protein powder in the house and I add that to my breakfasts (smoothie or in oatmeal) and it keeps me full/boosts calories.

ETA: It gets tough. Buy a lunchbox! We eat a lot of leftovers, but add different veg/meat to change it up some. I also always have healthy choice cafe steamers in the freeze for on the go meals. My fridge/pantry always has spinach, cucumbers, onion, low fat mozzarella, carb smart tortillas, whole grain sandwich thins, natural PB, zucchini, bag of apples, instant oats, etc. I keep most snack-y items out...I save a LOT of money not going in to the snack food aisles.

rainbows1994

Yep. I'm a top student with an invitational honors in english. I felt fine. I am not a heavy alcohol drinker (like many college students can be) and would eat around 1200 calories a day.

emelia_

I buy veggies (squash, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, avocados, beans, lentils etc.), bread (cheapest whole wheat grain), dairy (yogurt, eggs),

The key is to integrate high calorie foods such as nuts and beans and rice with all of the veggies. If you end up buying pre-prepared food you are going to spend a lot more. I can manage cooking my dinner (I always have oatmeal for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch) and have plenty of time to study, socialize, etc.

Also I don't think I've spent more than 120 dollars on groceries this year...