by Char McClary

Created on: January 12, 2007   Last Updated: September 02, 2011

"Ya gotta eat." Never were truer words spoken. Yet, as a student, finding ways to fit meals into your budget, much less your schedule, may be proving difficult at best. Here are some quick ways to quiet that growling belly while making sure you can still afford tuition!

Cereal: buy the good stuff; this is not the time to relive your childhood by going with the chocolate coated, marshmallowy, sugar encrusted brands! The more fiber in a cereal, the longer you're going to stay full. The more nutrients in your cereal, the better your brain is going to function for those all night cram sessions. The less sugar in your cereal, the less chance of your hunger pains returning with a vengeance after an hour or two and the non-sugary cereals tend to cost less. Go generic!

Ramen and veggies: Boil your ramen without the seasoning packet. Drain. Add your seasoning and a bit of margarine or butter and toss in a handful of frozen or canned veggies. Stir and rewarm on the hotplate, stove or in the microwave for a great veggie lo mein.

Pasta salad: Boil a cup of your favorite shaped pasta. Drain and run cold water over the noodles until they are thoroughly chilled. Shake off any excess water and place the noodles in a big bowl that has a lid. Add some generic ranch or Italian salad dressing and any chopped vegetables that you have on hand. You can add chopped leftover meat as well. Stir and serve!

Eggs: Eggs are cheap, and the whites are a perfect source of protein. If you are trying to keep your fat intake down for your health's sake, discard half or even all of the yolk when you use eggs. Eggs can be fried, hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, or even microwaved. A hard boiled egg is a great nutritious snack that's easy to grab and stays good in the fridge for days.

Fruit: Easy to grab, easy to take with you and much better for you, mind and body, fruit is the way to go over chips any day! It may seem spendy at first but fruit keeps you fuller, keeps you healthier and you eat less of it to get that satisfied feeling. Apples, bananas, oranges, pears and peaches are all great on-the-go foods for when you're racing to classes and need a quick fueling!

If you're a coffee drinker, invest in a trendy thermal cup and refill from home or a convenience store. Buying a daily coffee at the name brand coffee shops is a sure way to drain your financial aid!

Being a student is hard. Make your food choices easy!

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