How to Meal Prep on a College Budget

By Ian Donnelly

Between classes, assignments, and social outings, it can be tough to plan and prepare healthy meals for the week – and if you’re trying to stick to a college budget, the combination of the two can be enough to overwhelm anyone. But with a little discipline and planning it can be done! No matter what your dietary needs or personal preferences are, there are a few key practices that can point you in the right direction when it comes to prepping your weekly meals. If you are mindful of these fundamentals, you can leave those expensive carry out orders and drive-thru trips behind.

Stick to the List

Successful meal prepping begins in the planning stage, and step number one is making your grocery list. Taking inventory on what you have in your refrigerator and pantry then deciding which items you need is crucial for a budget-friendly meal plan.

The biggest mistake you can make when it comes to starting and then maintaining an affordable, healthy diet is skipping out on a weekly, pre-made grocery shopping list. If you go to the grocery store without one, you could easily end up buying things you don’t need or doubling up on items you already have at home. Plus, if you don’t have a shopping list as a guide, you’re more susceptible to letting your stomach do the shopping, which leads to not-so-healthy choices more often than not.

When you’re grocery shopping on a budget, your list needs a sharp eye. Keep in mind what produce is in season; if fruits and veggies don’t need to be shipped in from out-of-state, they will be cheaper. Be sure to compare prices! Don’t go straight for the big-name items and dismiss generic brands. Despite popular belief, generic brands are often just as good as name brands and are generally available at a lower price. Just be sure to look at the nutritional information of both products before making a final decision.

Set a Prep Day Routine

Aside from all the health benefits that come along with balanced meal planning, the biggest advantage is the time you save on cooking throughout the week. But as everyone knows, there’s no such thing as a free lunch – you have to make time to save time!

Pick one day that you can consistently dedicate to planning and cooking your meals for the rest of the week. This is a must for solid meal plan execution because as long as you keep a weekly prep day routine in-line, your eating habits will follow. For college students, it’s good to set aside time on the weekend when class won’t interfere.  If you cook enough on Sunday evening to last through Friday, you won’t have to worry about grabbing lunch on campus or running out for dinner between classes. It may even save you some money in the long-run!

Invest in Food Storage

If this is your first time putting a meal prep plan into action, storage containers are your new best friend. They are the most important tools you need to effectively plan meals for a whole week, so it’s worth it to invest in sturdy, microwave-safe food containers— despite what your budget might be.

Cooking and divvying out meals into plastic containers is not only a winning strategy for planning your day to day eating habits, but it is also completely necessary if you choose to fully undergo this lifestyle change. In addition to saving money, you will also save time during the week with all your meals ready to grab and go.

Utilize Your Freezer

Meal prepping on a budget calls for utilizing your freezer to the fullest possible extent. Your freezer allows you to get the most mileage out of perishable food, keeping your prepared meals from spoiling by the time the end of the week rolls around. Stocking up on frozen fruit, vegetables, and meats is the best way to create a successful, economically-sound plan for convenient and healthy meals.

If they are properly stored, most foods will last five to seven days. If you make enough meals to last throughout the school week and keep them well-preserved, your busy weekdays will go by much smoother with your ready-to-go meals.

Allow Yourself Some Wiggle Room

Life can be unpredictable, especially for college students, and even the most diligent meal planner can stray from their routine. You’d be hard pressed to find a single student who can claim they never grabbed a slice of pizza to survive a late-night cramming session or treated themselves to dinner with friends for acing a midterm.

It’s not the end of the world if you misstep from your prep, but when you’re living on a college budget, it’s important to plan accordingly. Keep some money aside for those inevitable treat meals so your wallet won’t be caught unprepared. Additionally, modify your weekly grocery list to accommodate any sudden changes in your meal planning, including events such as birthdays, weddings, or impromptu road trips.

Thankfully, the money you save with all these meal prep tips can go a long way in giving your bank account some wiggle room. All it takes is a well-thought-out plan, diligent scheduling, and a little bit of willpower. If you put these ideologies into practice, you’ll see the physical and mental benefits of healthy and efficient eating habits in no time at all!

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