Everyone who is a college student knows how challenging it can be to balance classes, friends, and money. Giving up healthy eating habits shouldn’t be a choice, though. A well-fed brain is important for academic performance and general health. The problem lies in the fact that healthy college meals often seem expensive and unattainable. So, we put together a list of cheap healthy meals for college students that won’t cost a lot of money.
We’re going to give you 10 affordable and delicious meal ideas that are easy to fit into your daily life and will help you stay healthy, stay motivated, and study without giving up your college experience.
10 Cheap Healthy Meals for College Students
It might seem hard for students to find healthy meals that don’t break the bank, but it’s totally possible with a little imagination. These cheap healthy meals for college students will fill you up without breaking the bank, whether you live in a dorm with limited cooking space or a house with a full kitchen.
Healthy eating on a budget is not only possible, but it’s also necessary to stay alert during long study sessions and have energy all day. You can eat meals that are both tasty and beneficial for you by using fresh products, simple recipes, and smart shopping strategies. Here are 10 meal ideas that won’t break the bank and will keep you full.
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1. Overnight Oats – A Budget-Friendly Breakfast Staple
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to start the day off, right? Soaking overnight oats is a wonderful, easy student recipe for busy mornings. You can customize this quick, healthy meal to suit your preferences, but it requires minimal effort.
Why Overnight Oats?
- Affordable: You can buy a lot of oatmeal, which is a budget-friendly staple.
- Customizable: You can make your taste mix by adding your favorite nuts, fruits, or spices.
- Convenient: Prepare in advance and refrigerate overnight for a successful meal prep experience.
College Kitchen Essentials:
- A large mason jar or another suitable container
- Oats rolled up
- Milk (dairy or plant-based)
- Chia seeds (optional)
- Fresh fruits (e.g., berries, bananas)
Healthy Shopping Tip: To save money, buy oats in bulk and veggies that are in season.
Sample Recipe:
- 1/2 cup of rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk
- One tablespoon of honey
- Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Add nuts and fresh berries on top.
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2. Microwave Scrambled Eggs with Veggies
Dorm Room Breakfast Made Easy!
Instant pot fried eggs with vegetables are one of the easiest, quickest, and most comfortable college recipes. This basic meal-planning recipe requires very few items and tools.
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How to Do It Step-by-Step:
- Put two eggs into a bowl that can go in the microwave.
- Add a spoonful of milk and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add diced vegetables, like bell peppers and onions, and mix well.
- To make eggs set, put them in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds.
College Kitchen Essentials:
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Eggs
- Milk
- Veggies (e.g., bell peppers, onions)
Healthy College Meals on a Tight Budget Tip: Use up any extra vegetables to reduce food waste.
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3. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches – A Power Snack
Fuel Your Studies with a Classic Combo!
The best cheap food is a peanut butter and banana sandwich, a healthy college snack. This affordable food idea is easy to make and full of energy.
Benefits:
- Rich in fats and protein, beneficial for your health
- Keeps you full between meals.
- Getting ready in dorm rooms is simple.
Healthy Snacks for School Tip: Pick natural peanut butter that doesn’t have a lot of extra sugar.
College Budget Hack: Buy bananas in bulk and peanut butter in jars.
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4. Quick Stir-Fry with Frozen Veggies and Rice
Healthy Eating on a Budget: Made Easy!
Budget-friendly college meals don’t have to be bland or unhealthy. This easy stir-fry recipe uses affordable frozen vegetables and rice to make a filling meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies (e.g., peas, carrots, corn)
- one cup of rice that has been cooked
- One tablespoon of oil for plants
- One tablespoon of soy sauce
- To your taste, add salt and pepper.
Instructions:
- Put frozen vegetables in a pan with hot oil.
- Cook until soft and thawed.
- After adding the cooked rice, stir fry.
- To taste, add soy sauce and serve.
Simple Meal Ideas Tip: Make it your own by adding your favorite protein sources, like chicken or tofu.
Healthy Vegetarian College Meals Option: Replace meat with plant-based alternatives.
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5. DIY Burrito Bowl – Quick and Nutritious
College Student Meal Prep, Simplified!
Making your own taco bowl is the best cheap food idea. With easy-to-find, cheap items, you can make a tasty, budget-friendly meal.
Ingredients:
- one cup of rice that has been cooked
- 1 cup of black beans
- 1 cup of mixed vegetables, like sweet potatoes and onions
- One tablespoon of salsa
- Cheese shreds (not required)
Instructions:
- Make black beans and rice.
- Cook a mix of vegetables.
- Get the burrito bowl ready.
College Student Meal Prep Tip: Prepare ingredients ahead of time for rapid assembly.
Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas: To avoid throwing away food, use items that you already have.
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6. Ramen Noodle Upgrade – Add Protein and Veggies
Elevate Your Ramen Game!
You may learn about cheap healthy meals for college students or how to make quick, healthy meals without spending a lot of money. For example, you can make a filling and cheap student meal by adding protein and vegetables to plain ramen noodles.
Upgrade Ideas:
- You can add scrambled eggs or tofu for energy.
- Add frozen vegetables, like peas and carrots, to the mix.
- Add diced onions or bell peppers.
- On top, put green onions and sesame seeds.
Healthy Eating for College Students Tip: Pick broth with less salt and use fewer seasoning packs.
Nutritious Meals for College Students: For extra nutrition, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp.
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7. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries and Grilled Chicken
A Healthy, Budget-Friendly Dinner Option
It’s now easy to find cheap and healthy dinner ideas for college students. Grilled chicken and air-fried sweet potato fries make a filling, healthy meal on a budget.
Ingredients:
- 2 Sweet potatoes
- 1 lb chicken breast without bones
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- To your taste, add salt and pepper.
Instructions:
- Warm up the air fryer to 200° C (400°F).
- Make fries out of sweet potatoes.
- Cook chicken breasts on a grill.
- Put sweet potato fries in the air fryer.
College Student Meal Prep Tip: Make sweet potato fries ahead of time.
Budget-Friendly College Meal Prep Tips: Buy sweet potatoes in bulk.
8. Avocado Toast with Egg – A Nutritious Breakfast Option
Start the day off with a healthy boost!
Eating healthy has just become easier for college students. Combine healthy fats from avocado with protein from eggs for a filling breakfast.
Benefits:
- Supports heart health and digestion.
- Provides sustained energy.
- Improves brain function.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of whole-grain bread.
- 1 ripe, mashed avocado
- 2 eggs, fried or poached
- Salt and pepper to taste.
College Student Nutrition Tips: Choose whole-grain bread and ripe avocados.
Meal Prep for Students: Prepare eggs and avocado ahead of time.
Healthy College Meals for Busy Students: Make a toast in less than 5 minutes.
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9. Instant Pot Chili – A Hearty Meal on a Budget
Warm up with a Budget-Friendly Classic!
College meal planning just became easier. With this fast and easy Instant Pot chili recipe, you may prepare a healthy college meal on a tight budget.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or a vegan option)
- 1 can of diced tomatoes.
- 1 can of kidney beans.
- One onion, chopped
- One tablespoon of chili powder.
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef in an Instant Pot.
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes.
Instant Pot Recipe Tip: Use canned items to cut down on prep time.
Cheap and Healthy College Meal Ideas for Picky Eaters: Personalize with toppings.
10. Frozen Veggie Pasta with Tomato Sauce
A Delicious, Budget-Friendly Pasta Solution!
College student meal planning has just become easier. Make a budget-friendly, healthful pasta dinner with frozen veggies and canned tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pasta (whole wheat or vegan option)
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers and carrots)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- One tablespoon of olive oil.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to the package directions.
- Sauté frozen vegetables in olive oil.
- Combine the cooked pasta, vegetables, and tomato sauce.
Budget-Friendly Meals Tip: Buy pasta and canned foods in quantity.
College Students’ Food Hacks: Use leftover vegetables to reduce food waste.
Cheap Meal Prep Ideas for College Students: Prepare individual portions.
Healthy College Snacks on a Budget
It’s important to have healthy snacks on hand along with meals to keep you going all day. Here are some cheap and healthy snack ideas for college students:
- Nuts: Cashews, almonds, and walnuts are all excellent sources of fiber, healthy fats, and protein. They’re also a wonderful snack to take with you.
- Fruits: Berry, apples, bananas, and grapes are affordable healthy snacks that contain many minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
- Homemade trail mix: To make your trail mix, combine chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. You can customize this snack to your preferences.
- Greek yogurt: A breakfast that is high in protein, low in calories, and full of beneficial things for you. It’s delicious on its own or with honey, fruit, or granola.
- Hard-boiled eggs are quick, cheap, and good for you because they are full of protein and healthy fats. They’re also a useful way to prepare meals ahead of time.
- Whole-grain crackers: For a healthy and satisfying snack, you can pair whole-grain crackers with cheese, hummus, or avocado.
- Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is a low-calorie snack that is high in protein and calcium. It also has many probiotics.
Making these healthy college snacks a part of your daily routine will help you stay alert and focused all day. Don’t forget to pick snacks that are low in fat and processed sugars.
Conclusion
If you know what to cook, it’s not only possible for college students to eat healthy on a budget; it’s also very simple. We looked at 10 cheap healthy meals for college students to show that you can eat tasty, healthy food without spending a lot of money. We have designed each meal, ranging from overnight oats to DIY burrito bowls, to accommodate your busy schedule and provide you with the necessary nutrition and energy for academic success.
Could you try these meals? Let us know what you think! For healthy eating for college students, we’d love to hear your ideas and recipes. As we go through college together, let’s support each other to make better choices! Have fun cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I eat healthy on a college student’s budget?
To eat healthy on a budget, you need to plan your meals, look for sales, and pick cheap foods like whole grains, canned goods, and frozen veggies. By planning your meals ahead of time, you may stay on budget and ensure that you always have healthy food on hand.
What are the best budget-friendly snacks for college students?
Nuts, fresh veggies, homemade trail mix, air-popped popcorn, and Greek yogurt are all excellent snacks that won’t break the bank. These healthy, easy-to-make options are ideal for busy students.
How can I make nutritious meals with limited kitchen appliances?
You can prepare healthy meals using a microwave, rice cooker, or slow cooker. A rice cooker can microwave or cook grains and vegetables. You don’t need many tools to make simple meals like chili or pasta with frozen vegetables.