college budget

I can’t go so far as a meal plan, but I agree that making your own food is cheaper than FF if you plan things.

I usually shop the sales for lean proteins, either chicken, fish, or pork (I don’t like beef much). Liver is also usually inexpensive, if it’s your thing. For veggies, I like the frozen stuff, unless something is cheap because it’s in season. Finally, I love beans, especially lentils: buying the dry rather than canned can save you a lot of money. Lentils, especially, are extremely inexpensive and high in both protein and fibre.

This is just what comes to mind. Good luck!

Edit.

Canned albacore tuna and sardines are cheap, low-calorie and high in protein. Rice is cheap - and dirt cheap if you buy it at an Indian grocery store. Eggs are an inexpensive choice, and full of nutrients.

Part of this depends on what your living conditions are. Are you in a dorm or do you have an apartment/house? Do you have roommates who are willing to share food costs with you?

If you don't know how to cook, try getting a good beginner cookbook. There are a bunch out there written specifically for college students.

Dried beans, potatoes, frozen vegetables, pasta, canned vegetables, rice, flour: these things are all your friends on a budget. I have fed myself on $25 a week or less using these items as the staples of my diet. Figure out the spices you like and spice the heck out of stuff -- keeps it interesting (someone suggested Dollar Tree above, I've gotten some spices there).

Do you like soup? You can make a giant pot of soup for very little money and eat it for a week. Beans and rice can be done so many different ways. If you have a farmer's market near you that is targeted for "normal people," you can pick up fruits and vegetables for less than a grocery store and add some freshness to your diet.

Don't buy anything pre-packaged or cut for convenience (unless it is actually cheaper, sometimes I've seen bags of pre-cut veggies deeply discounted just before expiration, or you are doing a deliberate splurge).

Write down the flavors that work for you and the foods that keep you feeling full.

pshour1 wrote: »

Hey guys,

So I'm a college student on a college budget. Fast food seems to be the only food I can afford. I would like to start grocery shopping but I feel like it's out of reach. Does anyone know of a daily/weekly meal plan that can accommodate my kind of budget? My daily cal goal is 1700. Thanks in advance.

I have been a college student. Fast food is definitely NOT cheaper than home cooking. While I was living in Flint, MI I used to eat 6 meals a day averaging $0.80 or so per meal. Not gonna find fast food that is nutritious and filling for less than $6 a day.

I suggest you look into ethnic foods. Start thinking ahead. Here's some recipes in my blog (you kinda have to dig through other crap to find it)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/taunto

You can easily buy a few staple Indian spices to last you for months. Chicken drumsticks are very cheap. I used to buy them in bulk and they would cost me like $0.69/lb.

Remember to buy things in season. Fruits and veggies from farmers market are extremely cheap. I used to hit the farmers market with my friends. It was nice outing and we saved a bunch while chilling and having fun.

hope this helps

I'm in the UK so prices might be different (I know fruit and veg were much cheaper in Germany than here, whilst fresh meat was much more expensive) but I lived on a student budget for 3 years in UK and Germany.
Buy as much as you can frozen - meat, fish and veg should all be available frozen and it's much cheaper than buying fresh, plus easier to store because you don't worry about expiry dates as much.
Cook meals in big batches if you can. A bolognese can have chillis added and go with rice instead of pasta so it doesn't feel as boring. You can freeze portions so there's a "ready meal" at home when you get in (even if you use frozen meat, if you cook it, you can then freeze it again). Buy cheap range beans, chopped tomatoes etc. because it's not really any different to the branded stuff.

For an idea of what I ate on a budget:
spaghetti bolognese - 500g pack of lean mince (can put turkey/chicken breasts through a food processor for cheaper/leaner meat), couple of onions, tin of tomatoes/passata, tomato puree, garlic clove, then add things like carrots, baked beans (might be a UK thing only), aubergine/courgette to bulk it out and get more nutrients in - makes 3-5 servings, can serve with any pasta, or rice, or just bread for variety
Tuna pasta bake - bit of flour and butter, pint of milk, as much cheese as you can have for your calories makes a cheese sauce, tinned tuna, onions, other veg (sweetcorn/peas are cheap), pasta - probably 2-4 servings
pork/chicken with cajun, new potatoes and veg
stir fry - can use whatever you've got in and no need to buy a sauce - make your own from garlic, chilli, soy sauce and maybe some ginger and lemon
roasted veg and couscous - aubergine, courgette, tomatoes, red onions, peppers, bit of stock for the couscous - lasts for ages and makes a good "packed lunch"

Fast food is not cheaper...

I buy quick oats, nuts, ramen noodles, fruit, canned things, etc.
I don't have a mini fridge right now so I have to watch -- I also eat in the cafeteria because I'm on a meal plan. But I work and have classes so I can't always make it to the meal time (thats why I buy food now and then)

Look up your local markets online to see what they have on sale and try incorporating those fresh foods into your diet. Shop around for the best prices. It may vary from week to week. Don't know where you are, but I know Publix has a good website for their weekly sales. I bet Trader Joes does too.