Some of the troubles student life is filled with include living on a tight budget. In such cases, maintaining a healthy balanced diet might prove quite difficult with that kind of limitation on one’s finances. Healthy eating does not have to be expensive, even for a student. A little planning, creativity, and wise choices will enable one to keep up in their studies and other aspects of life without necessarily breaking the bank. Here are seven budget-friendly diet tips perfect for students:
- Make a weekly food budget and try to stick to it: Having a feasible budget for food every week, BDT 500-BDT 700, and planning out meals according to this is life-changing. When on a budget, you’ll be able to make wiser choices, which will stop you from buying things on impulse. It’s necessary to prepare both of fixed expenses like rentals, phone bills, etc., and variable expenses like groceries. Budgeting apps will help manage your money.
- Meal Planning: This can save so much of your time and money if you will plan out your meals for the week. Once you know what meals you will be consuming throughout the week, then you will have less of an urge or chance to spend more and unwanted amounts on other foods and urges in snacking. For example, create a meal plan that is healthy, like rice, lentils, and chicken for lunch, which can be made into chicken fried rice the next day. Such a combination meal would not only be within a reasonable budget but full of nourishment, as lentils come with their share of fiber and protein, rice has complex carbohydrates to energize the body, and chicken is a very good source of protein. You can add vegetables like spinach, carrots, and tomatoes to your lentils and chicken to boost your intake of vitamins A and C as well as iron.
- Create a Shopping List to Stay in Focus: How many of us have walked into the store with a single mission and leave with an entirely different purchase? Going to the store with a written list keeps you on track and keeps those impulse buys at bay. Do your grocery list according to meal planning and a budget. Any List or even your notepad might be helpful to keep you guided toward the essentials and away from overspending. You’ll be more likely to get fruits and veggies, maybe some of those that get overlooked while shopping, if you stick to your list.
- Save Up Using the Discounts and Deals: Discounts and deals will go a long way in saving on groceries. Keep an eye on all sales regarding the weekends, students discounts, and other special offers the stores like Swapno and other super shops are offering. Food delivery apps and websites such as FoodPanda, Chaldal amongst others, do offer exclusive promotion and discount which you can avail easily. If you go to a store to shop, ask about student discounts. Little savings count, and it would help you maintain your budget by getting most of the essentials needed.
- Buying in season and locally: Most of the time, the fruits and vegetables which are in season happen to be cheaper and even fresher. Try visiting a local market or finding out what fruits and vegetables are in season at the store. To save even further, try buying in bulk and freezing your fruits and vegetables, what a great alternative. Frozen produce is nutritionally as good as fresh and lasts longer, which cuts down on food waste.
- Use Leftovers Creatively: Never think that leftovers are wastage. You can use surplus materials creatively. For example, you can make fried rice with leftover rice. You can even make seasoned pulp-Bhorta with various leftover items such as mashed potatoes or eggplant. Being creative with leftovers helps in saving money and adds variety to your meals, too.
- Drink Water: For maintaining overall well-being, hydration is needed. Make water your drink of choice. Carry around your own water bottle to save money. Water is the best source of hydration. By staying hydrated we help to maintain digestion, brain function, and energy levels. Water maintains the proper flow of nutrients in our bodies. One can also add some lime juice, cucumber or mints to vary the flavours. Electrolyte drinks can also be an alternative if you want to treat yourself some days.
It is not that difficult to eat healthy on a student’s budget; it is all about making informed and deliberate choices. Each of those minor steps mentioned will go a long way in the long run. So just try these tips out, put them in your daily routine, and see how very affordable healthy eating could be.
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Writer
Mridula Mozid
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE