It’s the broke college student way. Between expenses towards books, tuition, going out with friends, and accessorizing your dorm or apartment, very few of us manage to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle. Living on a limited budget is difficult, and sometimes compromises must be made, but restricting one’s diet should not be one of them! Last night I went grocery shopping at Wegmans, totaling a bill of $61.38. Sound expensive? Wait until you see what I got!
12 dozen eggs, 3lbs frozen mixed berries, double family pack of oat honey/almond cereal, 8oz feta, 2lbs baby carrots, 5 bananas, 1 seeded cucumber, 3 gala apples, 6 tomatoes, 2 mangos, 6 bell peppers, 10oz spinach bag, 1lb organic kale, 8oz brown Italian mushrooms, and 14oz organic mixed quinoa.
With all those fruits and veggies I can easily have my morning Arbonne protein smoothies for up to three weeks, salads for days, roasted vegetable mixes, and stir fry. $61.38 will even out to roughly $20 each week, maybe an extra $5 for seasonings and those common non-perishable items. Not too bad! Sometimes a hefty grocery bill will piece out less expensive than visiting the Bistro, making a stop at the variety stores like Tedeschi’s and Walgreens, or paying for an extra swipe in the dining hall. Cooking for yourself or for a group of friends can be so rewarding too! Knowing exactly what’s going into your body and where it came from will only benefit your health, energy level, skin complexion, and overall college life. If you still need help managing your food budget try these little things that make a huge difference:
1. Buy in bulk. Taking a look at the price per unit is so important. I never used to be a label reader but understanding that a pound of rice will eventually be more cost effective than the few ounces worth for an evening or two will really help you save your pennies.
2. Divide and conquer.Let’s be real. If I’m sitting down with a whole bag of carrots, I’m going to eat the whole bag. Portions are not only good for your food intake, but they help make your food, and ultimately your cash, last longer.
3. Split the bill.If you have roommates or friends buy in bulk then share the cost. This way you’re not wasting food and money. I split my eggs and bought the oat cereal for my roommate in exchange for half the package for 10lbs of chicken breast. Score! Now I have extra protein.
4. Freeze EVERYTHING.Bananas will last sitting on the counter for maybe a week or two. Frozen bananas however can last up to a month in the freezer. That doesn’t include the amount of time they were originally ripening as well. I freeze everything from loaves of bread to leftovers, prepared meals to small snacks and it is worth my time and wallet to do so.
5. Quality over quantity.What’s better for you—a two pound bag of Gold Fish, although so delicious, or the chicken and greens that cost the same price? If you plan on eating healthy try to keep track of where your money is being spent.
6. Be a sales searcher.I can’t help but jump on a good sale price on great food. Keep an eye out when shopping or when reading for a deal you can’t resist!
It’s okay to have a lazy day. We all have our moments craving cheesecake and others where we’re too busy to prep a meal. Life happens, but knowing the small things you can do to stretch your dollar and still eat healthy will only encourage action towards that lifestyle. For your next meal try some of these options!
1. Kale, Quinoa, Chicken, and Vegetable Salad with a Light Peanut Butter, Honey, and Oil Homemade DressingCook it up, mix it up, add whatever toppings you’d like (sometimes fruit!) and I promise you won’t regret it. My dressing is about 1:1:1 Tbs give or take.
2. Frozen Banana SlicesStill sugary but a better sweet tooth craving solution than a huge bowl of ice cream, my ultimate weakness of course.
3. Stuffed PeppersStuff it with whatever! Cous cous, veggies and sauce is a great one and the whole meal is automatically proportionate.
4. SmoothiesGreens and fruits, fruits and greens. Smoothies can be as large or as small as you want, making them great snacks or meals. Throw it all in and blend it up!