My freshman year of college was filled with a million new experiences – but my favorite had to be all the late-night pizza runs. I mean, who can resist the temptation of cheesy goodness at 3 a.m. after a long night of studying?
But by the end of my freshman year, my wallet was feeling the effects of all those late-night pizza runs – and it was time to make a change.
Enter: Meal prepping (in college!) 🥣🍳🥗
I had heard of meal prepping before, but it seemed like such a daunting task that I was always too intimidated to give it a try. But as I was scrolling through Instagram one day, I saw a post about meal prepping and it suddenly seemed so much more doable.
After doing some research, I realized that all it took to meal prep was some planning, dedication, and organization – three things that college students have in abundance.
Using my newfound knowledge, I set out to create a weekly meal-prepping plan that could work around my busy college schedule and save me money in the process.
I started by writing down all of the meals I would make each week based on what ingredients were on sale at the grocery store. Then, I made a list of all the tools and supplies that I would need for meal prepping, like portion-sized containers and a slow cooker.
Finally, I set aside time each week to buy groceries, prep my meals, and store them in the refrigerator so they were ready to go when hunger struck.
Meal prepping has been a game changer for me in college. It not only saves me money, but it also helps keep me on track with my nutrition goals and ensures that I always have something delicious and healthy to eat!
And bonus – I still get to enjoy late-night pizza runs every once in a while too 😉
So if you’re looking for a way to save time and money as a college student, meal-prepping is the perfect strategy!
What is Meal prepping and Why you should do it: Healthy Eating on a Budget
It’s like meal planning but with a super-convenient twist – you cook multiple meals ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer so that you have something delicious and healthy to grab when hunger strikes.
Think of it like stocking your fridge with meal-time superheroes – ready to swoop in and save the day when you’re too busy cramming for an exam or out late at the library!
Plus, meal prepping allows you to buy in bulk when ingredients are on sale so you can save even more money.
How to Make Meal Prep in College a Breeze: Low Cost, Low Stress
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of meal prepping in college? Don’t worry – I got you! You don’t have to be a master chef or have a gourmet kitchen to meal prep like a pro.
Like I said before, all it takes is some planning, dedication, and organization – three things we college students have in abundance!
And with my meal-prepping formula, you can meal prep your way to savings without breaking the bank or your sanity. So let’s get preppin’!🔪👩🏼🍳🍚🍽️
1. Plan ahead and Create a grocery list that focuses on versatile ingredients
Planning ahead and creating a grocery list is key when it comes to sticking to a budget and cooking tasty meals. Think of items like beans, rice, and quinoa, which can be used in a variety of dishes like burrito bowls and stir-frys.
Or pick up some frozen veggies – they’ve got your back for everything from pizza toppings to quiche fillings! That way, you won’t have to buy a bunch of specialty items.
And don’t forget pantry staples like olive oil, spices, and herbs – they can turn even the most boring meal into a flavor fiesta.
Related: Grocery Shopping 101: How to Grocery Shop on a College Student Budget
Here are a bunch of examples of versatile ingredients to help you turn a handful of ingredients into multiple dishes:
1 . Rice: Use it as your base for fried rice, risotto, paella, or even a rice pudding
2 . Beans: The obvious choice is chili, but you can also make burritos, tacos, soups, salads, and even hummus
3 . Eggs: The possibilities are endless – scramble them for breakfast, poach or fry them for lunch, make a frittata, or bake a quiche
4 . Frozen vegetables: Add them to soups and stews or stir fry them with some soy sauce for easy sides
5 . Rotisserie chicken: Make a soup, sandwiches, salads, or shred it for tacos and enchiladas
6 . Flour: Use it to make pancakes, waffles, muffins, bread, pizza dough – the list goes on and on!
By shopping smart and stocking up on versatile ingredients, you can make the most of your grocery budget while still enjoying delicious and satisfying meals.
2. Invest in some quality kitchen tools that will make meal prep easier and faster
Investing in quality meal prep tools is a must for any aspiring college meal prepper!
My personal favorites are an InstantPot (a meal-prepping game-changer!), a slow cooker (great for soups and stews), and meal prep containers (the perfect way to portion out your meal prep without having to dirty multiple dishes!).
I also love my vegetable chopper – it makes dicing veggies a breeze! And don’t forget meal prep staples like measuring cups, tongs, and reusable zip-top bags.
With these 12 meal prep tools at your disposal, you’ll be prepping gourmet-worthy meals in a flash!
- Slow cooker / Instant Pot / Food Processor
- Air fryer (for all your crispy needs!)
- Vegetable chopper / Blender
- Kitchen scale [Strictly Optional but strongly recommended]
- Cutting boards
- Oven mitts
- Meal prep containers & Mason jars
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Reusable zip-top bags.
- Cooler bag for meal-prepping on the go
3. Adopt Batch-Cooking as your go-to method
Cooking large batches of food on the weekends is a great way to make meal prepping in college easy and stress-free! Paella, lasagna, and shepherd’s pie are all classic favorites that can easily be made in large batches.
Once you’ve finished making your meals in batches, put them into Tupperware containers for easy grab-and-go snacks throughout the week.
And the best part? You can even freeze them to make them last for months! No more stressing about what food you should eat or having to get takeout. See, batch cooking is the way to go!
The more you do it, the easier it gets and your wallet will thank you.
4. Use leftovers to create new meals – don’t let anything go to waste!
Making the most of your leftovers is key in college meal prepping!
Knowing how to creatively repurpose them into meals not only helps you save money but also ensures nothing goes to waste. Did you make a large batch of curry last weekend? You can make it into wraps or even sandwiches the next day.
And also get creative and experiment with different flavors to create something new. For example, If you cooked a big pot of pasta, and use it to whip up some delicious mac ‘n’ cheese for lunch the next day.
The possibilities are endless – turn your leftovers into something totally different and you’ll have delicious meals that won’t break the bank!💸💰
5. Get creative with your food choices – there are tons of Recipes online that are both delicious and affordable
When it comes to college meal prepping, there are plenty of affordable and delicious recipes available online.
Check out websites like Allrecipes.com for budget-friendly recipes, or alternatively, you can search for recipes based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors, either! Try out dishes from different cultures that you haven’t had before. For example, why not make a delicious Korean Bibimbap Bowl or an Indian-style egg curry? You can also look for vegetarian options, like veggie burgers or veggie-friendly buddha bowls.
There are so many options on the web that you can explore and customize to your taste – get creative with your food choices and you’ll never be bored with your meals!
Don’t forget to check out blogs as well (*cough* read my blog guys, like common! *cough*). 😁👻
6. 20 Awesome tips to help you Master the art of Meal-Prepping in College
1. Use a slow cooker — it’ll save you time and energy in the kitchen!
2. Divide larger meals into smaller portions for easy reheating during the week.
3. Pre-make sauces and store them in airtight containers to save time on meal prep.
4. Try out some meal prep recipes with your favorite ingredients — it’ll make prepping easier and more fun!
5. Get creative with leftovers — make them into something completely different and you’ll have a new meal every night!
6. Make a double batch of recipes to save time.
7. Incorporate proteins like eggs, beans, and tofu into your meal preps for more variety.
8. Shop in bulk — it’s more budget-friendly and you can get items like oats and quinoa for a fraction of the price.
9. Cook large batches of grains and store them in the fridge or freezer for easy access.
10. Pack healthy snacks into individual containers for on-the-go fuel.
11. Meal prep ahead of time — it’ll save you from having to make decisions about what to eat at the moment.
12. Try out ingredient-swap ideas for recipes — it’ll help you get creative with meals.
13. Don’t forget to include a little something sweet in your meal preps — it’ll make you feel like you’re indulging even when you’re not!
14. Choose dishes that are easy to transport and reheat — it’ll make your meals even more convenient.
15. Choose recipes that have similar ingredients — it’ll help cut down on costs and save time when you’re shopping.
16. Stock your pantry with staples like canned beans, nuts, and seeds — they’re great for easy meals and snacks.
17. Get ahead of the game and do a little meal prep on weekends — it’ll make life so much easier during the week!
18. Take advantage of your campus’ food services — they often have deals on pre-made meals and snacks.
19. Make sure you’re getting enough of the right vitamins — take a supplement if you need to!
20. Don’t forget to have fun — experiment with different flavors and recipes to keep your meals interesting!
With a few simple tips and tricks, you can make meal prepping a breeze. So take advantage of these ideas and start prepping your meals today and you’ll be eating delicious and healthy meals in no time.
And in conclusion, meal prepping in college is totally doable and it’s actually kind of fun! Sure, it can be difficult to meal prep when you’re living in a dorm or apartment, but with the right tools and ingredients, it can be done. ✔️
I’ve found meal prepping to be super helpful for keeping me on track with my healthy eating goals. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. It’s like art, but edible!
So don’t be afraid to give it a try and meal prep your way to success guys!
“Meal prep pro tip: don’t be afraid to get creative. Cooking is an art, and meal prepping is your canvas!”
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