Students struggle left and right. Be it time, money, or fighting for a bit of social life, students find it difficult to win in all fields of life. Personal finance is a phrase unknown to many students, so with this in mind, you may want to consider some cheap and easy means for almost broke students. Don’t be discouraged by having to revise your meal plan. We’ve all been there.
The Best Cheap Meals for Students
As you may have noticed, the prices of food (fast food included) have gone up in recent years. Whatever the reason, students are now an even more vulnerable group. To help you avoid visiting McDonald’s three times a day and turning Freshmen 15 into Freshman 50, here are a few easy-to-make meals for students.
Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles are loved by so many it can be difficult to start explaining just how popular this simple Asian dish is. A variety of toppings and flavors give you a different option every day, but the low nutritional profile makes it difficult for many to sustain themselves in the long run. So, to keep your healthy eating during exams and school days, you should diversify a bit.
Pasta
Past comes in all shapes and sizes: spaghetti, tagliatelle, ravioli, you name it, Italians have it. Buy your own pasta and sauces and experiment with different combos. Our favorites include Bolognese, Pesto Basilico, Pesto Rosso and Quattro Formaggi. Try them out and make yourself a different pasta-based dinner night after night.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are generally considered unhealthy food. But, sandwiches can be diversified as much as you would like, and a proper choice of toppings will ensure you have a good, varied, and healthy meal every day. Instead of going for salami, try turkey breast sandwiches, the famous BLT (so easy to make), and egg sandwiches. Try to find a good balance between flavor profile and nutrient value. Furthermore, choosing whole-grain bread will ensure a low glycemic index and make your sandwich even healthier.
Chicken / Turkey Breast and Veggies
If you have an oven, there is no reason not to use it. It literally takes 5 minutes to pull out some veggies from your fridge, wash them, chop and season. Add in a nice juicy piece of chicken or turkey breast, season well (not too much salt), and pop it all in the oven at 375 for 45-60 minutes. You will be able to enjoy a hearty meal and your daily protein intake in no time.
Many students still complain that cooking takes away too much time. Understandably enough, as medicine and law students often have 12 hour+ work and study days. For this reason, you can try to delegate some of your work, such as note-prepping, to LetsGradeIt. This way, you have professionals doing a part of your schoolwork so that you can now focus on healthy eating and staying fit.
Potatoes of all sorts
Potatoes are one of the easiest foods to make. Peel them (or not), wash well, chop and season. You will be able to enjoy a good meal with almost no money spent. With just a few minutes a day, you can enjoy boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, home fries, fries, or potato pies. There are no limits to this versatile food.
Final Considerations
Although you may be busy during your studies, this should not discourage you from eating healthy. Having a good and well-balanced diet will ensure you get all the best nutrients and care your brain and your body need. As our simple food choices for students show, making a good, healthy, and light meal takes no time but rather just a pinch of effort.
Ashley Carter
Ashley Carter is an artistic soul. She loves admiring well-designed buildings and loves listening to good music. A fan of iamamiwhoami, she enjoys her free time reading and taking long walks, weather permitting.