Healthy and CHEAP Eating in College

snagzd
snagzd Posts: 9 Member
edited November 11 in Motivation and Support
Ideas? I'm living paycheck to paycheck so I need dirt CHEAP meals ideas, but I don't want to eat complete crap all the time.

Replies

  • ScalySquash50
    ScalySquash50 Posts: 41
    in season veggies are a must, usually cheaper! I also love using ramen noodles (use the knock off brand of mr.noodles, their super cheap) and without the flavor packs they aren't bad for you!

    Try getting your proteins on sale, and if you have one near you from Costco. For specific recipes you can add me and I'll share mine with you! Im also in university living on a tight budget so I know exactly where you're coming from
  • SwankyTomato
    SwankyTomato Posts: 442 Member
    Here is Nerd Fitness
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/10/18/a-college-guide-to-eating-healthy/

    Another site...
    http://collegerecipes.com/how-tos/how-to-eat-on-a-budget/

    I feel for you. You do have to budget, plan, and cook. The hardest thing is to start.

    What are you eating now?
  • snagzd
    snagzd Posts: 9 Member
    Oh right now I'm eating horrible, but money has been horribly tight this month so I haven't had much choice but to make do with what I already have the last couple weeks.

    Usually when I'm not quite a broke:

    Bfast: oatmeal
    Lunch: salad or sandwich
    Snack: fruit
    Dinner: chicken and whatever veggies

    Plus I keep popcorn around for when the late night munchies kick in.

    Unfortunately.. it doesn't look like my money situation is going to get any better for a few more weeks but I need to go get more food soon or I'll be all out! So here I am!
  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    edited January 2015
    I have a blog entry on my MFP blog (only one entry on the whole blog) about how I eat well for very little money.
  • snagzd
    snagzd Posts: 9 Member
    SWANKY TOMATO:

    I've been thinking next week is going to go something like this..

    Bfast: PB toast and eggs
    Lunch: ground turkey w/ spanish rice and maybe some beans
    Snack: whatever fruit is on sale
    Dinner: chicken and green beans

    I already have the PB, rice, turkey, chicken, and green beans. So hopefully this will only be a $10 trip at Aldi!


    MELIMOM TARDIS:

    I'll check it out!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    edited January 2015
    Your favorite beans (do a quick boil and rinse out the water and start again or google a bean recipe for instructions) with some salt and pepper, If you want, you can add sautéed garlic and onion.
  • diegops1
    diegops1 Posts: 154 Member
    When I was unemployed in college I bought beans in 25 lb bags, cheap fish (don't know if that is still available), rice in 25 lb bags (I have discovered that barley has a lot more nutrition), big cans of green beans and spinach and lots of fresh veggies when in season. That was 50 years ago. Foods available in markets have changed, but you get the idea. Beans and barley will go a long way with veggies and a multi-vitamin.
  • HappyQuella
    HappyQuella Posts: 67 Member
    Fellow college student here! Here are some of my tips.
    Frozen steamed veggies. There like a dollar and some change per bag. Love them!
    Ground meat, you can stretch it. 2 pounds of ground beef or turkey costs roughly $15 and lasts me a while.
    Fresh fruits/ veggies on sale. Whatever your grocery store has a deal on, grab it! This is great for variety too.
    Potatoes are great, and inexpensive for a nice 5+ lb bag.
    For breakfast, quick oatmeal or a filling cereal (personal fave is Kashi). This is the easiest breakfast for me, unless I feel like cracking eggs (but effort ;p). Also, yogurts a great staple.

    :) Don't let budget keep you from achieving your goals! Good luck to you! Any small change will make the difference, especially if you eat a lot of fast food now. Ooh, and try upping your water- it will help to cleanse you and ease things along. :smiley:
  • ryanplestid
    ryanplestid Posts: 3 Member
    Okay so just finished my undergrad

    Peanut Butter - tons of calories for not much money, obviously don't overdo it portion control is key. You can make a lot with this peanut butter coconut soups, pad thai type dish, PB on bread, etc. etc.

    Broccoli, Cabbage, Zuchini, Bananas and Sweet Potato All nutrient rich cheap as *kitten*, first three are low cal second two good source of carbs.

    Buy whatever meat is on sale. Pork loin can be turned into pork chops, whole chickens can be quartered. Get creative but always buy meat on sale.

    Beans, oatmeal and lentils. In terms of filling you up for very cheap nothing beats these guys.

    Eggs Super cheap, super filling super easy

    Buy a slow cooker, this can save you lots of money making soups and stews is great.

    Some cost saving luxeries:
    Homemade hummus (outside of tahini this is the cheapest *kitten* ever)
    Homemade fancy seeming soups (simple as cooking sweet potato, pumpkin and carrot and blending with some chicken stock, or this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KR44a_5v_A)
    Homemade beef jerky is really easy all you need is some flank steak and an oven.


  • jenmovies
    jenmovies Posts: 346 Member
    Get a decent hot sauce, and some cayenne pepper. You add that stuff to anything and it tastes amazing. :D Other than that, everyone else is giving good tips. If you live anywhere near an outdoor market, community garden or a short drive to the country, you can get fruit and veg way cheaper than at the supermarket. Keep an eye out for elderly neighbours growing their own and give them a hand in exchange for some produce. Good luck!
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