College is expensive and one of those expenses is buying food. Trying to eat healthy does not have to cost an arm and leg. There are several steps you can take to eat healthier on a budget.

1.     Planning your meals.

This is so important if you are trying to save money on food shopping and even more important when eating healthy. Knowing what you are eating for the week will save you time, keep you from buying extra food you don’t eat, like that pack of cookies, and will help you not waste less food in the long run. Don’t forget to check your refrigerator and your cupboards so you don’t buy what you don’t need.

2.     Ditch the takeaways and cook at home.

“Takeaways are full of fat, high in calories, and most importantly cost a lot of money over time” says Mary Popham, a health writer at Assignment Help and OXEssays. Cooking at home is cheaper and more delicious and healthier for you over time. You can buy the ingredients for several meals for the price of one restaurant meal. Try and cook at least one meal a week to help cut down on eating out.

3.     Pack your own lunch.

Another great way to save money and eat healthier is instead of buying fast food on campus, bring your own healthy lunch. It is a great money saver. Some colleges have a designated spot for commuters, complete with a refrigerator. Packing your lunch gives you control over what goes into your body. You can make a healthy salad. Over the long term, this can really save you a lot of money.

4.     Cook large portions and use the leftovers.

Cooking large meals saves time and money because you can use the leftovers for other meals. This means that you cut down on meal prep, saving you time and you can avoid eating out when you have a day where you have less time to cook. Another great option is to freeze your leftovers in single portion sizes to eat at a later date.

5.     Always eat before you shop.

If you are hungry when you go food shopping, you will more than likely buy food you don’t need because you are feeling hungry. “Eating a meal before shopping helps you avoid impulse snack buying” says Richard Rouillard, a student blogger at Reviewal and Custom Writing.

6.     Buy generic brands.

Many of your favourite food items can be bought for a fraction of the price by buying their generic counterparts. They tend to be far cheaper and some generic brands taste better than the brand name product. Just be sure to read the label to make sure you are getting the same quality product.

7.     Shop for seasonal produce.

Buying seasonal fresh produce typically saves you money, and is in its peak, so it tastes better and is fresher. Produce that is out of season is transported from far away, making it more expensive, not as tasty, and bad for the environment. Not only that, buy your produce buy the bag where you can as it’s typically cheaper than buying it by piece. 

8.     Use coupons wisely when you shop.

Everyone loves a good bargain and coupons can help save you money, but you need to use them wisely. Spend time sorting through which ones offer the best deals on household products and stock up on cleaning supplies, nutrient-rich foods, and your household staples. By cutting costs in this way, you can spend the money you save on buying healthy food.

9.     Buying in bulk.

Buying certain food items that you eat often in bulk can save you a ton of money. Items like pasta, cereal, and rice are much cheaper to buy in bulk. When you buy in bulk, you do not need to purchase bulk items as frequently.

Eating healthy while at college doesn’t have to be super expensive. These tips can help you watch your spending while helping you eat healthy while at school. From planning your meals, bulk buying, to using coupons, all of these tips will help you save money and eat well at college.