Food&Drink Editor Emily Roberts teaches you how to eat well and shop cheap
It’s no secret that for many new students, eating a well-balanced meal falls low on the priority list, and it can be hard to know what to buy and cook while staying on budget. I may be an elderly fourth-year student now, but I am 95% certain that as a fresher, the nutritional value of my meals wasn’t even a top 5 priority. By the end of term 1, I was always tired, struggling to focus, and rapidly realising that I should probably live off a little more than toast and Quorn nuggets. It is, however, possible to eat something half decent that doesn’t require a year’s kitchen experience and full cupboard (I promise). So, from someone who’s been there, here is my advice on staying well-fed on a busy schedule and a tight budget.
My first piece of advice, and probably the most obvious, is batch cooking. It’s easier, quicker, and saves on washing up! For the vast majority (myself included), spending an hour cooking and cleaning every single night just isn’t realistic. Most recipes serve more than one anyway, so invest in some freezer-safe tubs and save yourself some time, money, and effort. It seems like a huge effort at the time, but it’s much more efficient, and means one less thing to think about for a few days. Some of my favourite batch-friendly recipes include chilli, curries, and bolognese sauce.
Invest in some freezer-safe tubs and save yourself some time, money, and effort
I would also always recommend keeping frozen or tinned vegetables in the house. A basic bag of mixed veg is a nutritional lifejacket. My favourite is frozen spinach to throw in whatever I’m cooking, generally curry or pasta, but anything vaguely healthy works. In fact, my frozen mixed veg egg fried rice has become a firm favourite for those evenings when I simply cannot be bothered. Tinned veg is also a fantastic way to always have something on hand. At university, plans are often spontaneous, interrupting dinner plans and leaving your fresh foods to go slimy. Using frozen and tinned veg is a convenient way to stay nourished, and make sure you aren’t wasting food or money. Tinned pulses are also often an effective way to add bulk and fibre to a meal, and to eat more plants! Lentils, beans, and chickpeas are easy to throw into a meal, making it more filling and higher in fibre. They are also usually cheap, making it incredibly cost-effective too! Five-bean chilli and chickpea curries are some of my favourites.
On the theme of cost saving, sometimes buying loose fruit and vegetables can make more sense than buying kilo bags you’ll only use half of. It can also prevent food waste so you don’t have to bid a sad farewell to the 15 rotten onions you’ve just chucked in the bin. This does really vary across supermarkets and products, so it isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it’s helped me out a lot and stopped me throwing away heaps of veg every week, especially when a recipe calls for something random. It’s always worth having a look, but it may mean hiking a little further than Aldi, particularly for those of you living on The Vale. I’d recommend timing your food shop and your lectures to avoid walking back and forth to Selly 4 times a day (just remember your shopping bags).
It’s always worth having a look, but it may mean hiking a little further than Aldi
Finally, one of my biggest expenses ended up being coffee. One particularly busy week of essays and exams I actually ended up spending nearly as much on coffee as I did on my weekly shop (ridiculous, I know). If you enjoy hot drinks, investing in a decent flask is a decision you won’t regret. It’s a money saver and a time saver in exam season when the library café queue is out the door and your deadline is in an hour. Also, many coffee shops will offer a discount for using a reusable cup, so even if you can’t sacrifice a barista-made drink, you can still save a bit of money. Even 20p per drink adds up eventually!
Admittedly, the last thing on your mind right now is probably what you’re having for dinner. In comparison to everything else going on in first semester, it seems pretty mundane. However, with a little prep and investment, it is possible to eat well, remain energised, and stay on budget. Good luck, and don’t be scared of a cooking disaster. I assure you, I have seen worse.
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