Healthy eating can change the lives of college students. Healthy eating can improve focus, clear up skin, prevent obesity, reduce cold and flus, and improve athletic performance. Heck, it can even reduce the effects of a hangover.
These are important things for college students! It sounds like the perfect answer for all students, so why aren’t all students doing it?
Finances.
If you have been in college then you have probably have been on a budget. Trying to eat healthy can be tricky anytime, but when you add trying to be on a budget, it gets even trickier.
Here are a few easy tips to help college students eat healthy on a budget:
Meal Planning
One of the best ways to save time and money is to spend a few minutes thinking about what you will eat for the week before you go to the grocery store. For college students it is important to think about meals outside of the eating facilities, including late night snacks.
Be realistic about how many meals you eat outside of the dining hall. If you never eat breakfast in the dining hall, then make provisions for breakfast in your list. If you get hungry after dinner, put those on the list too.
Grocery List
The next step is to create a grocery list. Don’t forget to check to see what you already have before you go to the store. If you are living with roommates, check with them before you shop to make sure you don’t buy the same thing twice.
One of the best ways to get on a budget or stick to a budget is to take a grocery list. This might seem like an easy endeavor but there are snacks on every aisle that are strategically placed to get you to buy them and break your budget.
It is also important for you to make sure you are not hungry when you go to the grocery store because it can cause you to bust your budget.
Shopping
Consider getting the family size and freezing it in smaller sizes. When buying fruit and vegetables, don't get the pre-cut ones because they are more expensive. Stick with the bulk whenever you can.
Clipping coupons goes digital
There are coupon apps for food shopping along with everything else. Many college students shop at the grocery store closest to home or to the school. Store loyalty coupons can help you save big when you shop at the same store using digital apps. Cellfire is a good example of this type of app.
There are other digital apps that will point you to paper or online coupons that you can take to the store.
If you are super-organized, you might want to try Grocery iQ. It takes a little time to set up but if you tend to buy the same thing each week — and if you are a college student you probably do — then this works well. It will help identify your favorites and give you your discount.
Watch eating out
It is one of the biggest stressors to the finances. The cost of eating out can add up quickly in a week. You can deplete your budget and be faced with having to be able to get through two or three weeks at the end of the month.
Consider bringing lunch and snacks with you to class or to meetings. You will be amazed by how much you can save.
Eating healthy is possible with just a little planning. Any college student can do it. You can even get your friends in on it, so you can all save!
Live Vibrantly!
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is your diabetes reversal, hormones, metabolism and weight loss expert. Dr. Dae is a naturopathic doctor who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone appointments. Visit her or schedule a free consultation at her website, www.HealthyDaes.org
Sources:
Healthy Eating for College Students on a Budget Healthy. University of Michigan Health System. September 29, 2015.
https://www.med.umich.edu/pfans/docs/tip-2012/budget-0812.pdf
Coupon Apps That Every College Student Should Use. Cheap Scholar.org. September 30, 2015.
http://cheapscholar.org/2012/08/15/coupon-apps-that-every-college-student-should-use
Coupon apps for grocery shopping you must try out You don't have to be a coupon-clipping maven to save big. Consumer Reports.org. September 29, 2015.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/08/best-coupon-apps/index.htm
Reviewed September 30, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith