College students don't usually sail gold. Here are some simple tips for eating well without breaking the bank.
Steps
Step 1. First, here is a list of foods that generally don't cost too much:
- Short pasta and ingredients to dress it: you can shop at the discount store to find cheaper brands. You should have some pots to cook and at least one plate.
- Potatoes: buy in large quantities; a 5 kg bag will cost you a few euros. It is an ingredient that allows you to create different recipes. If you stop by for college lunch but don't want to spend money at the cafeteria, cook at home the night before and store the food in a plastic container. To make mashed potatoes, you can add water instead of milk.
- Noodles; in oriental shops, you can find single packs for just over a euro, sometimes even less. Just add the water, heat in the microwave and serve.
- Rice: buy in large quantities. You can buy a bag of about 1 kg, so you will save money. Cook it at home, season it, put it in a container and eat it at university (you can reheat it in the microwave in the cafeteria).
- Apples / oranges / pears. Go to the greengrocer to buy them according to your needs. Remember that fruit rots after some time.
- Bananas; again, buy them from the greengrocer to spend less. Keep in mind that they have a short duration.
- Spaghetti; it would be better to buy those sold at the discount store so as not to spend a lot. Try to dress them with simple ingredients: for example the tomato sauce requires few. Cook them at home, store them in a container and reheat them in the microwave in the cafeteria to eat during your lunch break. If they are left over, place them in an airtight container and leave them in the refrigerator.
- Chicken: Look for offers at a butcher's or supermarket. Again, cook it at home, put it in a container, and eat it for lunch after reheating it in the canteen's microwave.
Step 2. Prices vary depending on where you live
In general, however, these are some of the cheapest foods.
Step 3. Learn to cook so it will be easier to save
Step 4. There are also foods that don't cost much and that are very filling:
- Oatmeal; just add some water and cook them in the microwave to make porridge.
- Rice cream; again, add some water and heat it in the microwave.
- Egg; to prepare them soft-boiled, let them boil in a saucepan for a few minutes; then, keep them and put them in the packed lunch the next day. You can also cook omelettes, omelettes and much more.
- Heads of lettuce are cheap. You can use them as a base for salads. Buy a small, durable, plastic condiment holder so you can add it to your packed lunch.
- Broccoli. Cook them at home, store them in a small airtight container, serve them and eat them.
- Watermelon: slice it and store it in an airtight container, which you will keep in the fridge. If you are going to put it in your packed lunch, use a waterproof bag so you don't get any other food wet.
- Beets: Cook them at home, store them in an airtight container, refrigerate them and add them to your packed lunch.
- Cold Spinach: You can cook them or add them to salads after washing them. The choice is up to you.
- Fruit jams and preserves. Buy them if you find offers at the supermarket - you can use them in various recipes.
Advice
- Don't buy more food than you will use, or it will spoil.
- If you have the chance, use the coupons you find in the newspapers. Take advantage of special offers at the supermarket, especially to stock up on durable products.
- Learn about agricultural markets and discount stores in your city and find out where you can find special offers. This way, you will avoid spending a lot.
Warnings
- The foods on offer are often close to their expiration date, or maybe it has already passed; be sure to check before you buy them.
- It is not healthy to always eat a certain dish just because it is cheap; also, sometimes discount products are not of good quality. Avoid excesses and make sure you eat a balanced diet.
- If you have any health problems that require a special diet, consult your doctor first to make sure you don't have any problems.
- Canned foods and soups generally have a high sodium content.
- Discount products don't always undergo the same quality controls as branded ones. Before cooking and eating them, check them carefully to make sure they have nothing wrong with them.
- There are different types of products that are not branded: some have the same ingredients as the more expensive ones and are just as good, others are not of quality. Also, they are left in storage for longer, which partially dulls their taste or flavor.
