Any other poor college students out there?

I feel that its so hard to keep up with weight loss when you're in college.  There are limited choices in the dining hall and all the stuff thats good for you is something like cooked carrots...gag me.  And I could go grocery shopping but I don't have enough money to buy healthy things because it's all expensive, not to mention if i buy fruit, yogurt, or vegetables most of them go bad because i'm only one person and can't eat it as fast as it rots. 

I guess this is just kind of a rant.  or possibly a question of what are other healthy picks?

I'm a university as well. In first year I had a meal plan that was a buffet-style and although it claimed to include "healthy choices," there was still all that crappy stuff available like fries and pizza. The salads were boring every day. I definitely felt it to be extremely hard to follow any type of diet with the meal plan, so I didn't.

For the past two years, I've been living in an apartment-style residence with a full kitchen and NO meal plan. This means I have to go get groceries every once or twoo weeks, especially to get fresh fruits and vegetables. And yes, it does get pricey, but I feel much better about it than the meal plan.

If you're looking for healthy choices, try and get some frozen vegetables if you have a freezer. If you have a fridge too, you can buy apples and grapes and oranges and tomatoes and they keep much longer stored cold. Frozen chicken breasts are great too, and whole wheat pasta and rice. It's hard being a student, but good luck to you!! :)

beans, beans, beans

its about 1$ for a bag of beans, a 1$ more for a bag of carrots and a 1$ bag of celery, a few seasonings and some water,.... voila... lentil soup.. and its healthy. one serving is about 250 calories and it makes about 6-8 servings (depending on how big you serve)

its cheaper than buying cans of soup, and healthier because it doesnt have all the sodium.

buy fruit in season. if you buy asparagus in the summer its about 2$, during the winter its about 5-6$.  i go to school in NYC, so there are fruit stands all over the streets, buy from the vendors instead of the supermarkets... great prices

when ou go to the supermarket look for the manager special, if your buying meat (steak especially) you can find a big piece of london broil for about 3-4$, enough to last for 2 meals with a salad or a side.

banged up cans are on sale, adam sandler was right in big daddy

Hiya kmb, I'm a college student too.  I feel you on the poorness. During first semester, I would not think of touching the salad bar, and I actually didn't touch it.  I had the pizzas, the toasted sandwitches with no tomato and extra ranch, and the hamburgers and fries..all the time. 

But, seriously try the salad bar.  There are a lot of different options you could try from there! Or make your own healthy sandwich and toast it in the toaster.  If your allowed to buy some fruit and take it back to your dorm. Everyones suggestions look really good.

I'm totally broke, but I always make room in my budget for fresh food, and I prioritize the food that I get.  For instance, between apples and potato chips or 100 calorie packs, I'd go for apples.  Only get as much as you can eat at a time, and try to keep things in the fridge.  Or, like someone else mentioned, buy frozen fruit and veggies.  Yogurt, too--and make smoothies!  Just make sure that you only buy what you need; don't get too much in excess.  That way, you save money by buying less food and by not throwing stuff away.

You just kind of learn after awhile what you can keep and for how long, and then you can figure out what to shop for and how often to get it.

It's my first year in college and I have been dealing with all sorts of food-buying problems, too.
All the above posts seem to have good ideas (especially the lentil soup! I swear by that stuff.)
In addition,
-Check if your local grocery stores have savers cards or the like.  I stop in every week and save a decent amount, but I suppose all stores vary.
-I've never been a big fan of Wal-Mart, but they have some decent, mildly healthy cereal alternatives.  I get plain oatmeal there for about $2, which lasts me a month.  Not the most ideal breakfast out there, but it's far better than sugary cereals and is great for mornings where I don't have time for anything fancy.
-Also, some Targets sell things like peanut butter and organic foods for cheaper than most supermarkets.  If you spend less on the odds and ends, you'll have more for fresh produce.  It really adds up.
-Buy less food more often.  Everything stays fresher, and if you're in walking distance to a store, it'll be a good exercise opportunity.
I think that's all the new ideas I have.
Best of luck!

I am at university too, but in my final year so everything is stressful and I don't need me worrying about myself to add to the pressures.

 

I don't have a car so it is difficult for me to go to the big shops and also where I live it is pretty limited in terms of variety. I rarely eat the food at uni as it doesn't look appetising and is full of grease (plus expensive!!)

 

I tend to buy frozen veg as it keeps longer but always have fresh fruit on hand. Additionally for snacks, I have like raisins too.

 

I also buy the value brands at supermarkets as its obviously cheaper but sometimes the nutritional value is actually better than other brands and tastes the same!

 

Since being at Uni, I have become well tight with my money!!

I have meal plans, and about the healthiest thing I can get with those is sushi during the week (if I make it over to the cafeteria in time...), or a wilted salad.

 

Now, weekends. That's hard.

I am at a uni, same same with the healthy. But I have to pay for it weather i go or not :(:(
So i pay for that AND my food. Suffice to say i'm pretty poor. Oh and i only have a microwave to cook in. We're not allowed skillets.

I'll post up some ideas soon , but eating healthi is WAY cheaper than eating unhealthy, you just have to learn how. How to make veggies last longer, how much to get, how to use the freezer, how to used canned and frozen food, which are the best cuts. I have a class, but i'll be back soon

I'm definitely having trouble w/ that now! Even though I have really healthy salads and turkey sandwhichs all the time, I've still managed to gain 6 or 7 lbs!! Im on the track and cross country team as a distance runner, and I've filled out! Its disgusting!! Its actually been really bothering me...  But I think i its because Ive had binging issues that have come  up this year from stress.


has anyone else had binging problems at the beginning of college?

Oh yeah.
Not so much the beginning, but the week I had all the first of my midterms.  I freaked out and got sick 'cause I ate so much.  I'm a  big stress eater.
My roommate, who is a pretty good eater, even binged a bit, too.

Ok, long post, i've bolded the relavent bits

First I get all the catalogues for local stores delivered to me.
I make a note of all the cheap prices, and plan my meals around them. I keep a loaf of sliced bread in the freezer, at least one. The day before you want to use it, put it in a sandwhich bag in the fridge and it'll be ready. or you can pop it straight in the toaster or microawve it for 5 seconds. This also stops snacking on bread

Next, cos I HAVE to eat at the dining hall, i visit and take food out. I order "take away" meals and just stuff my box full of salad, no matter how boring because i can spruce it up. You'd be amazed how canned baby beets really liven up an iceburg lettuce salad with tuna!! Sometimes i take out steaks, trim and rinse and will use them in a recipe that night. I dont use many bottled sauces as i have soy sauce anyway and you can always thicken that up, and add spices. Tomato paste is very versatile. I keep a jar of garlic in the fridge, mixed herbs in the pantry and tomato puree/paste. Add water and mix for a quick pasta sauce.

I dont buy spices in the bottle, but from the packet as its about $1-2 less. I just save jars and use those. I also stock up on fruit from the hall. My pockets are big. We can only take 2 pieces of fruit a day but seeing as i never eat there and i dont go daily, i think its fair that i grab two apples for my pockets, sit down and chat with friends then get two bananas in my hands. I also take packet cereals as long as they are healthy. there arent many but they make decent snacks, esp when mixed with yogurt.

I buy or cook in bulk and freeze leftovers. Those littel cans of tuna are convenient, but a big amount is usuable - make a tuna bake and divde it into three, freezing up one slice and the other in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.

I buy yogurt in 1kg tubs. usually the plain stuff. BUT only when on special, otherwise i buy another brand. if you have portion control issues, get those little jelly moulds, figure out where the amount you want is and fill them up at the start of the week. Save the container to store veggies in that way you dont have to buy new boxes.

I also check the cheapies bin ALOT. And always have frozen stir fry veggies in the freezer (buy when on special!) You can add them to anything, its great.


When lettuce goes limp, soak it in ice-water. Try not to pick off the leaves when you first get it - leave it on the head. My dad used to grow his own lettuce in the bathtub but i havent got that far. If you like sprouts you can grow them easily in a jar. Dont prep your veggies until the last minute - they will last longer. Most veggies dont freeze well unless you have a snap freezer, or they have low water content.

Split what you buy with a friend OR once a week do a party/cookout for friends. Make them bring $2 for meat, bread, salads and they can bring their own snacks. You keep the leftovers for cooking. I do a $5 dinner that includes dessert. I make no profit, but i use the little bits of veggies leftover, AND i get dinner for a night thats yummy, plus i learn how to cook.

Learn to make your own desserts. cocoa, sugar and and a freezer is all you need for this wicked gelato i make. Its very deep and rich. 1 c cocoa, 3/4c sugar (or 1/2 c sugar and 1/2 c splenda) plus 2.5 c water. Mix the sugar and water and cocoa. Boil slowly, keep stiring. Stir in the splenda (and optional vanilla) Place in freezer for a few hours until its chilled and starts to ice-up. Stir and break up chunks. Check every 30 mins (or whenever) and stir up. Or food process. If it freezes, just let it defrost for a while and stir. Its really nice and no fat. Plus not too pricy. For cheaper jello, buy gelatine and use diet cordial and diet fizzy drinkes (in the big bottles for cheapeness) to make a raelly sweet low cal treat. I also freeze the diet fizzy drink into popsicles in summer, which means the bottle doesnt go flat.

Speaking of fake or even real sugars, if you're into that, take them from cofee shops. Seriously. Is it theft? I dont know. I could use 5 sugars in my coffee and its not theft. Or i could ues 2 and take 3. Is that theft?? Either way it means your sugar doesnt dry out as quick and its free. Its also good for portion control.

Bep16, binging was a big problem for me too, if you need help there's plenty there. Best to solve the problem early on *if you dont mind my comment!!! Stress and control are big things. Feel free to PM me if you want help. I dont always sterss eat, sometimes i lose muy appetite. But for me its control that makes me. When i feel i'm losing control i binge. Anyway, enogh about ED, back to cooking etc.

Pasta might seem super high cal but its very filling, and healthy and acutally isnt too bad!! I like penne - seems bigger than it is. It is also cheap and keeps well dry. Minute rice is good for speed, but i just soak my normal rice and wait the extra 10 mins. I prep the rest of dinner then.

Ethnic stores will stock ethnic veggies, grains (pasta, cous-cous, rice, noodles) and spices usually for cheaper than the shops. Branch out!

If/when you eat out, divide your plate in half (or 2/3 and 1/3) and ask for a take home container. Thats your lunch tomorrow. Or i eat all the veggies and only half the meat and rice, and cook it in a new sauce later.

Why buy roasted nuts or seeds when the raw ones are cheaper and healthier and you can do it yourself? With the leftovers, make up trail mix and sell it during study period. You can even buy some decadent things to mix in and have a little taste. Just sell them all. I am lucky - i live in dorms so that is easier.

Same with oatmeal. If you want the instant stuff, buy the normal rolled stuff in bulk then borrow a blender or processor and blend it until tis smaller!! I like the real stuff tho.

I take every opportunity for free stuff. Dockets, tokens, 2-for-1, leftovers when i visit home (i usually pay for my grocereies at home tho) food samples, making food to sell.... Yes, i am cheap, but i also eat yummy food EVERDAY and keep in shape and feel better. My friends who eat at the dining hall hate it, but dont understand how i still have more money than them, who eat out once a week with me. I am just very frugal and until i get more money thats the way i am. I dont eat food from the bin, or from strangers, or steal, or steal others foods, or smuggle food out of all you can eat places, or eat those nasty fatty packet noodles (only the low fat ones one special  :P) and people are amazed how I hold cheap dinners, but love it. its a life skill

Lastly,
try cheap healthy good (google it) or google "frugal"
Think outside the box.

Breakfasts
Oats - overnight soaked in yogurt. Dip in apples. Cook in squishy bananas, add spices like cinnamon, use leftover canned fruits in there
Toast - quick and easy, make your own sugar free jam (google the recipes)
Smoothies - blend up your leftover bits of fruit if you only use 1/2 a banana now and then.

Lunches
Soups - make a big batch and home and freeze in portions. Defrsot the night before. Or get the condensed soups on special and add your own veggies and chicken
Sandwhiches - i make my own hummus, have with leftover turkey from a roast you had at home, and tomato. SO good. Or tuna and salad. If you eat at subway, get a foot long, and save half for the next day (dont get wet stuff put on the other half. Pull out the salad too or it'll go icky)

Dinners
Order chinese take out with little oil. Get noodles and add half a packet of frozen veggies and divide the meal in half. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or cashews to make it feel more gourmet.
Buy chicken breast on special, cut in half and freeze the portions. If like me you only have a microwave, semi-poach/cook add veggies and at the end add a stir fry sauce you made yourself of have leftover from a BBQ and some wet pack noodles.