Wise Food Choices

As a busy college student, eating healthy and living within a budget can be challenging. Sometimes, there is no time to prep a meal or due to a lack of planning results in our eating out more frequently. Although you will “eat out” occasionally, with some planning, you can eat well and manage your food expenses more effectively. Below are tips to help you manage your finances and eat well during your busy days in college.

Meal Planning & Prep

• Plan Weekly Meals: Every week, create a meal plan to reduce impulsive eating out for any meal.
• Batch Cooking: Make larger portions of meals and divide them into containers for grab-and-go meals throughout the week.
• Share Staple Items with Your Roommates: Make the baking shelf the community shelf. This way, you won’t have to purchase cinnamon, flour, powdered sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and spices all on your own dime.

Budget-Friendly Grocery Shopping

• Make a Shopping List: Stick to a list based on your meal plan to avoid impulse buys.
• Don't Shop Hungry: Almost everything will tempt you. Eat a meal or grab a snack beforehand.
• Buy in Bulk: Buy grains, beans, and nuts in bulk to save money.
• Don’t Fall for the Pre-Sliced, Pre-Washed, Pre-Chopped, Grated Gimmick: Block cheese is cheaper than the bags of shredded cheddar. Washed, bagged lettuce is nearly three times as much as an unwashed bundle. Putting in a few minutes at home to wash and chop your fruits and vegetables can save you money each week.
• Compare the Price per Ounce: Deciding whether to get the 16 oz. bag of chocolate chips or the 32 oz.? Look at the price per ounce on the price tag. This is an easy way to see which item is less expensive and another way to determine whether to get the generic or name-brand item.
• Use Coupons & Apps: Take advantage of in-store promotions, coupons, and cash-back apps.
• Get a Store Membership Card: Usually, all you have to do is fill out a form, and they'll issue one to you. Scan it every time you're at the store. Depending on the store, you might also get points for savings at the gas pump.

Healthy Cooking Alternatives

• Simple Recipes: Focus on easy, healthy recipes that require minimal ingredients and time.
• One-Pan Meals: Try one-pan or sheet pan recipes for minimal cooking and easy cleanup.
• Healthy Snacks: Stock up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, and yogurt to have healthy snacks readily available.

Smart Eating Habits

• Mindful Eating: Pay attention to portion sizes and eat without distractions to help avoid overeating.
• Stay Hydrated: Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Utilize Campus Resources

• Campus Events: Attend free food events on campus for snacks or meals.
• Cooking Classes: Look for BYU workshops that teach quick, healthy cooking techniques.

Convenience Tips

• Healthy Convenience Options: Stock up on healthy frozen meals or quick-cook items (quinoa or pre-cut vegetables) for easy meal assembly.

Shifting Your Mindset

• Reframe Eating Out: Treat eating out as a special occasion rather than a default option.
• Try New Recipes: Discover new, healthier recipes that excite you and reduce the desire to eat out.