by Michelle B. Smith

Created on: September 08, 2009

Spending large amounts of money on healthy foods is a way of the past. With more and more college students turning to healthier lifestyles full of exercise and eating right, healthier eating options have become more affordable. Eating healthy can be economical and less time consuming with these simple tips.

Buy Local

Spend the time to research a home base of healthy food options. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are great organic options but are just too expensive. Instead of these grocery giants, start off small and local. There are many colleges that have or support local urban farming. These farmer's markets are created to grant access to fresh fruits and vegetables for urban communities. Larger markets usually offer spices and organic health supplies as well.

These markets are beneficial to your healthy food for cheap quest due to the low prices. With little to no pesticides, the foods are leagues healthier than the fruits purchased at major chain grocery stores. The low prices can be attributed to the fact that these gardens are sustained by city funds so are accessible to people of all income levels.

Plan Ahead

Planning meals ahead of time has a double benefit. A major issue in America today is obesity which can be attributed to people getting food as quickly as they can. Without proper planning many people turn to fast food which is unhealthy. Creating a meal schedule throughout the week helps to track if you are eating too much and if you are eating the right foods for your overall health.

Planning meals ahead of time also decreases the chance of you rushing out to spend money on a quick lunch because you did not have time that morning to make something. How many times have you only had a short amount of time before leaving your home only to realize that you have nothing to eat? Many people simply bring money so they can buy something during a lunchtime break. With meals being $5 and up and seldom healthy, planning ahead is a great alternative. If you are a grilled chicken fan, you can create this in bulk for days in advance. Freeze the cooked chicken and simply heat it up when ready to prepare another meal.

Bang for your buck meals

Eating healthy and buying cheap is a good idea but if you are not sure what to buy then you could start down the wrong path. There are some foods that offer optimal nutrition with minimal spending. These are bang for your buck meals that should be a staple of your on the go diet. Wheat Wraps are one of the easiest and most delicious foods to include in your meal. There are many options of wrap stuffing. Tuna for protein, tomato for lycopene and an olive oil marinade for a healthy fat are just a few options. With warehouse retailers selling tuna for cents per can, this is one of the cheapest and healthiest options that you can include.

If you are the nibbler type, try yogurt and frozen fruits. Frozen fruits and vegetables have just as many health benefits as the fresh version. Frozen fruits are often cheaper as well. Mix organic or probiotic yogurt with variations of frozen fruits for a sweet treat. Rolled oats are another yogurt addition that you can try. Buy rolled oats in bulk as it can be used for many meals. Oats for breakfast will leave you feeling full and energized for the first half of the day. Oats can be added to other foods or snacked on throughout the day as a meal side.

Being fit and eating right on a budget is a great start to your college career. Healthy eating and value prices can now be synonymous. Being in college no longer means that you are doomed to face the freshman 15. With the responsibility of college you can also take on the yummy task of eating for less. Now there's an adult responsibility for you!

Learn more about this author, Michelle B. Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.