Cheap and Easy Meals for College Students
This is such an expensive time for you and your family. One way you can help cut back on costs is to think outside of the menu when it comes to eating. In other words, you don’t have to waste precious money on restaurant tabs when you can whip up something to eat in your dorm or apartment for most days. Find the nearest grocery store and pick up the following:
1. Macaroni … cheese, pasta and sauce in a jar, ramen noodles. In less than ten minutes, you could be eating a hot, hearty meal. Granted, these are not the smartest choices on the food chart, but they are filling and right up there when it comes to comfort foods. Add some fruit or a wedge of iceberg lettuce and you’ll cover yourself with the good stuff.
2. Breakfast foods. Who said you can’t have cereal for dinner? Or waffles for lunch? Did you know you can scramble eggs in the microwave? The point is, most breakfast foods are easy on the wallet but go a long way in satisfaction. Forget popcorn at the movies too and put some dry cereal in a baggie to munch on instead.
3. Sandwiches mean you don’t have to wash silverware. That’s right, finger foods are the way to go for the non-dishwasher crowd. There’s peanut butter, deli meat and even fried eggs to fill the gap between slices of bread. And, when you’re bored with that, crack open a can of tuna and make tuna salad. If you incorporate lettuce and tomato you’ll get your daily dose of vegetables too.
4. Say goodbye to the delivery guy. Don’t order pizza unless it’s a special occasion. For day in and day out, frozen pizza is a fine alternative and you don’t have to tip anybody. Make sure you have plenty of canned parmesan cheese and, if you’re feeling especially health conscious, you can always chop and add some fresh vegetables.
There will be plenty of time in your life for five-star restaurants and elaborate kitchen tangos. This is your time to work hard, play hard and be able to afford it all without going too deeply into debt. It’s not a bad idea to add a multivitamin to your daily menu to help make up for nutrients that you might not be getting regularly. Bon appetite!
Ryan Sullivan is an instuctor at a leading online colleges. He holds two online degrees and a degree from a traditional university program.
