College Hunger: When Tuition Eats First
Imagine eating instant noodles in your dorm, dreaming of going home soon for your mom’s chicken adobo. For many college students, including me, this is a reality. As a foodie, it’s hard to look at a cupboard of dwindling instant-noodle packages. Not only did eating the same thing get old, but it also wasn’t nutritious.
College life is often depicted as having an empty wallet and surviving on instant noodles. However, I learned that it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are my best tips to eat well in college while keeping your cash intact.
Find Your Campus Food Pantry
Many universities have a food pantry to combat student food insecurity. On days when I ran low on groceries, I took advantage of the one on my campus (shout-out to Pack Provisions at the University of Nevada, Reno).
Using the pantry, I could get ground beef or chicken once a week, which kept my belly and wallet full. These proteins are versatile; you can make burgers or a stir-fry with the right seasonings.
The pantry also provides eggs, milk, cereal, bread, and other foods that can last for weeks. I highly recommend checking if your university has a food pantry. It’s there for you!
Score Free Food at Events
Have you ever walked through campus and seen a crowd around a table? Chances are clubs, organizations, and companies are handing out free food to attract students.
As a hungry student, I’d do almost anything for free pizza. Stay updated on events offering free food by following your university’s social media accounts. I follow nearly fifty campus organizations and enjoy a variety of free food at least once a week.
Expand Your Budget with SNAP
During my first year, I worked as a server for twenty-four hours every weekend (bonus tip: work at a food establishment for free meals). One day in the library, I saw a local organization helping students who work at least twenty hours a week apply for a government program called SNAP.
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to supplement an individual's grocery budget. Since I was eligible, I set up an appointment, and they helped me apply.
Every month, I get money on an EBT card to use at SNAP-friendly businesses. This card allows me to eat well and buy exactly what I need within my allocated budget.
Final Food for Thought
Eating well-balanced, nutritious meals as a college student can support other facets of your life, like your studies and workouts at the gym. Did I also mention that your immune system gets a nice boost?
For college students, proper nutrition is critical. You deserve more than a diet of instant noodles; by fueling your body, you fuel your success in and out of the classroom. Eat well, study well, live well!
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