by JQ Adams

Created on: April 05, 2010

When students start off to college on their own, a lot of the time they’re practically broke throughout the semester. A lot of this is caused by careless spending of money, a lot of which is funneled into different food. Most of these foods are junk food, which may cost little, but it can make you gain weight and have other health problems. There are ways to eat healthy in college for less.

Microwave Meals – When people think of microwaveable meals, usually the first thought is the old, unhealthy TV dinner. In these times, so many people are health conscious that companies have started releasing healthy, affordable meals that are convenient for the average college student. Lean Cuisine is a line of microwaveable meals, and while they may be confused as “diet food”, that is not their main goal. They offer different pastas, pizzas, and other foods that taste great and won’t cost you a fortune. They’re also very healthy and easy to prepare, so they are a perfect replacement for the greasy fast food that many college students eat.

Eating Out – Try not to eat out very frequently. A lot of them time, eating at a restaurant can be very costly. For the same cost as a few microwave meals, you’ll get one meal. That also doesn’t include the tip. If you must eat out, eat wisely. Try to find something healthy on the menu, and don’t order a bunch of appetizers and desserts. The price will shoot up ridiculously fast if you add these things onto the tab. If you’re eating with friends, do not split the check. Instead, ask for a separate receipt. This way you are only paying for what you ate, and you aren’t forced to pay for some of what everyone else ate. Splitting the check is a quick way to waste a lot of cash if you’re ordering frugally and your friends are splurging on the extras.

Fast Food – Try to avoid getting “value meals”. Often these meals can cost upwards of $8 with tax. Instead, check out the separates menu. Sometimes you can get a burger, small fries, and small drink for $3, instead of $8 if you order this way. You can also find healthier alternatives this way, such as a salad, yogurt, fruit, etc. Don’t feel that you have to order a full meal. Sometimes it pays to pick and choose components.

You can still eat healthy in college and save money. Don’t be afraid to look into alternatives to junk food, because you may be surprised at what you can find.

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