Let’s face it. Food is a major struggle for every college student. Whether it be finding the time to make a meal or even remembering to eat, more often than not I find myself grabbing for a granola bar instead of an actual meal. With that being said, I have learned over the years that a real meal sustains me much longer than filling my body with empty calories. Through some research and reading online blogs, I have found some perfect go to meals that every busy college student can enjoy, all while staying on a budget.
Meal #1: Breakfast for Dinner
This is one of my favorite “go to” affordable meals. I personally swear by omelets. All you have to do is have some eggs ($1.00 for half a dozen) and whatever veggies you want, and you’re set! You can also buy premade pancake and waffle mix for less than $3 from your local grocery store. Even choosing to make it homemade can be done in less than $5! You can’t beat that. And after all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right?
Meal #2: Mason Jar Meals
These are a recent discovery of mine. I never knew you could throw practically anything in a mason jar and call it a meal. Some of my favorites are oatmeal (oats, fruits, nuts, etc.), salad (lettuce, veggies, nuts, etc.), and soups (I lean towards veggie). I can pick up many of these items for $1 each, and in most cases I already have many of them items in my pantry or refrigerator. All you need to do is prepare the jars at the beginning of the week, or the night before, and you are set. It only takes five minutes!
Meal #3: Tacos
In college I discovered pretty quickly that almost anyone you encounter loves tacos! They are almost effortless to make. All you need are some taco shells, tortillas, meat, veggies, and toppings. What I love most about tacos, besides the fact you can buy all the ingredients for $5.50 at Walmart, is that they can accommodate to many health/dietary concerns. Individuals who are gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan can still enjoy tacos. They are easy to personalize so you can get exactly what you want and need.
Meal #4: Smoothies
Last summer, I got a Magic Bullet blender and it has only reinforced my smoothie addiction. I tend to lean towards fruit smoothies, like a classic strawberry banana or peaches and pineapple, but there are endless possibilities when it comes to smoothies. If I am having a smoothie for a meal I always add peanut butter and, in most situations, almost any fruit smoothie can only be enhanced by this. I have found that buying fresh fruit and freezing it is a cheaper alternative to buying prefrozen fruit as well!
Meal #5: Stir-fry
Once you move off of campus and have access to a stove top, you must make stir-fry at least once a week. It is incredible. The great thing about making a stir-fry is that you can add anything you want to, and it can be different each time. I love a simple veggie stir-fry. When I make this I buy whatever veggies are on sale, hopefully broccoli, red peppers, onion, zucchini, mushrooms, and just add a little bit of a vinaigrette and let them simmer on the stove until they are done cooking. If you’re one of those people who can’t live without meat, you can still keep your meal under $5 by simply adding some leftover grilled chicken to cater towards your preferences.
Regardless of the meals you choose to make, the prices you pay, and the time you spend cooking, don’t be afraid to try new things! I have found that by experimenting and adding ingredients the recipe didn’t call for, I have discovered some of my favorite dishes!
*All images courtesy of Pinterest