There’s no denying how difficult it is to find inexpensive and seemingly healthy college meals or snacks without having to volunteer your money, taste buds or health as a tribute.

College is, in fact, the hunger games.

One fun fact about me is that I have survived two years, in a row and counting, without paying for a meal plan. Yes, I am alive and broke but NOT because of spending money on food. Okay, I lied. Spending money on fast food is still an issue but I am working on getting away from indulging so much!

I have, though, learned and developed a habit of being as creative as possible when shopping for groceries and finding the best, and tastiest, ingredients for meals. Take my word for it, there ARE ways to find your way out of the freshmen 15 (the monster is real, but it doesn't have to be) with healthy meals that are safe for your wallet while also being enjoyable.

In this post I wanted to share some screenshots from my YouTube video I posted recently, showcasing what I eat in a day for weight loss. Not only did I explain what I enjoy eating, but I gave some pretty simple and cheap options for each main meal in the day.

I hope you all enjoy that video (you can find it here or at the end of this post), and I personally would like to wish your wallet the best of luck if you, too, are a fast food junkie. May the odds be ever in your favor.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast, for me, is by far my most filling meal and one that I attempt to plan out more so than any other meal in the day. In my video, I explained that starting my day with coffee was not only a ‘want’ but a ‘must’ in my life. I don’t ALWAYS reach for actual coffee, but would rather drink my favorite Chai Tea Latte as a morning pick-me-up.

For an actual meal, I usually reach for the family size of Honey Nut Cheerios at the store, using an online coupon that you can normally find in your grocery stores website/app. Using Rice milk as a non-dairy option limits my dairy intake for the day and does, in fact, help me to lose weight.

Quick Tip: If you don't see the weight coming off as easily as you thought it would, after implementing a healthy diet into your day-to-day life, consider how much dairy you eat or drink! Especially for women, dairy could be the sneaky culprit behind stubborn weight. 

Other breakfast options that are normally inexpensive and healthy include:

— Oatmeal.

Quick Tip: I make my oatmeal using this Keurig K55 Classic Brewing System! If you're in college and enjoy drinking coffee or tea within the day, definitely consider purchasing or asking for a Keurig as a gift. Quickly making my Chai Tea or dispensing hot water for oatmeal makes my mornings much easier!

— Boiled eggs + Toast.

Quick Tip: I boil my eggs and create weekly meal prep meals using this mini Slow Cooker! Slow cookers are usually safe for dorm rooms and an awesome way to make meal-prep meals or large dinners for you and other roommates. I like to make rice and beans, my own soups using chicken stock and veggies, boil eggs along with plenty of other easy meals using this one appliance.

— Fruit. (My favorites include; bananas, mango, cantaloupe, and pineapple). 

#QuickTip : Breakfast in college should be your largest and most filling meal. You’ll need it! Share on X

LUNCH + SNACKS

For lunch, I normally like to omit a full on ‘meal’ and reach for healthy snacks or a smaller quick meal instead. Because my classes are during the day, my snacks hold me over and keep me from purchasing food from on-campus fast food joints.

There are three options I have throughout the school week. I either eat snacks for ‘lunch’ while in class, drink a protein shake after working out on a no-class day or eat a small lunch on off days and weekends.

1. Class Day + Snacks

My favorite snacks for class-day includes:

— Trader Joes Dried Plantain Chips
— Trader Joes Dried Banana Chips
— Skinny Pop White Cheddar Popcorn

I also like to drink lots of water to flush out my system, which is also a major tip for those who are trying to lose weight. My go-to water bottle is this Ello BPA-free glass bottle—occasionally adding some Dasani Water flavors to keep me away from drinking sugary juices or vending machine drinks.

2. No Class + Protein Shake

On days when I don't have class and make the healthy decision (it’s not always easy for Netflix professionals like me) to workout, I like to make my lunch a protein shake using my new favorite protein powder.

This Vega Vegan Protein Powder (in vanilla) is my new favorite paired with Rice Milk and occasionally some spinach and extra fruit when I’m able to use a blender. I also purchased this Blender Bottle Sport as a smaller option to carry around campus or in my gym bag.

3. No Class, No Workout + Quick Lunch

On weekends or days when I don't have class and am too lazy to get out my yoga mat (yes, I can be THAT lazy), I like to whip up a quick lunch that is easy to make with few ingredients. This includes:

— Tuna or Albacore Salad. (Includes: spinach, tuna or albacore in water, either my own olive oil dressing or caesar dressing, and a small amount of asiago cheese from Trader Joe's).

— ‘Regular’ Salad. (Includes: spinach, caesar dressing and a small amount of asiago cheese).

— ‘Healthy’ Ramen Noodles. (Includes: Ramen noodles without provided seasonings, my own spices depending on what style I’m feeling that day + Himalayan pink salt, Spinach, basil, etc).

DINNER

My biggest tip for college students, you ask?

Always. Keep. A. Microwave. Meal. Close. By.

Now, these meals can get outrageous in either price or calories, depending on the brand and size you purchase. I prefer the popular Amy’s brand that boasts TONS of vegetarian options that are both low in fat and include dairy-free / vegan options.

My favorite Amy’s meals include the tofu enchilada with cheese, beans, and rice or their garden vegetable lasagna… Long story short, microwave meals are handy and quick to make for days when you only have minutes to prepare and eat a meal.

Whenever I have the time to prepare a full meal, I generally like to pair one protein with one vegetable or starch. For example, I like to make grilled chicken, season to taste and pair with pre-cut sweet potatoes, or grilled chicken with steamed broccoli or mixed veggies.

Quick Tip: Not all dorm halls allow this appliance but, if able, I suggest investing in a conventional oven to prepare meals or heat up food without using a microwave. (As you know, daily microwave use can be dangerous to your health, so be mindful of how often you use it and how close it is to your sleeping space).

That is all for this post, with the obvious absence of a ‘dessert’ section. For one, I am addicted and triggered when I’m forced to think about sweets and two, there’s a separate blog post coming up about healthy dessert options. (Contradicting, I know).

I hope you enjoyed this post and found different options for yourself if you struggle to find food that is budget-friendly. It isn't EASY eating healthy while in college, I would know as a victim of the freshmen 15, but it is possible.

The biggest tip I can offer you is to find different ways to make your life easier. Whether that includes purchasing dorm safe appliances or shopping for foods that can be used in multiple meals like; spinach, sweet potatoes, veggies, etc.

The YouTube video I filmed about this topic is linked below! Make sure to check it out and Subscribe to My Channel for more videos. Pin this post on Pinterest to share the love and comment below and other meal or snack ideas that could benefit others!

May your meals be filling and your wallet stay heavy, 

-Miss Lynn