As a college student it is hard to find time to eat with all the homework and studying. Chik Fil A and Taco Bell are so convenient to just hit the drive threw up and get it to go. I struggle the most with being so lazy to actually get up and cook something when its so easy to go pick something up thats fast food. This is where the freshmen 15 or the sophomore 20 really hit you. This food is all processed and even though the french fries at McDonalds taste like they are fried in golden grease it is all so bad for you. But not as bad as all the money you are spending. If your like me, for 18 years of my life my mom has cooked for me. I have always had a passion for cooking and love to make meals that are cheap. I have recently sat down and started meal planning. Yes, I know what college kid has time to sit down and plan out their meals. But 9/10 times during the day I am thinking about my next meal because thats all I think about. I am here to help you all out by showing you my results through planning out my meals and give you some tips on how to make easy, semi healthy, and super cheap meal.
Here is a 7 day plan that might could help you save money, lose weight, and feel better about yourself. On Sundays I always go and buy all my food for the week and i usually only spend 50 dollars at the most. I also make my lunches for the week and have them ready to go so I can just grab and go.
Day 1- Grab a granola bar or drink a smoothie for breakfast.Something light to start you off but to also keep you from going through Micky D's to get that bacon egg and cheese biscuit that costs you at least 7 dollars. For lunch make a Turkey and Cheese sandwich on wheat bread with some apples or even a bag of chips won't hurt you. For dinner, lets make spaghetti. This meal is so simple and so cheap. All you need is hamburger meat, noodles, and your favorite sauce. You fry up your hamburger meat add you sauce and let it simmer and boil your noodles and TADAAHH!!! Your meal is done!! If you are wanting to take the healthy route buy the whole wheat noodles and sugar free sauce. I usually cook the entire box and make a lot of for left overs.
Day 2- Fry an egg or egg white for breakfast with some toast. Grab a fork and mix up a couple of eggs in a bowl and add a 1/4 of cup of milk into your eggs to make them fluffy. Put some butter in a pan and just stir them until they are no longer runny. If you have a toaster use that but if not turn your oven on to about 400 and then stick your toast in the oven for about 5 minutes or until its crunchy. A simple and easy breakfast that takes about 5 minutes to prepare. For lunch eat left overs!! For dinner EAT LEFTOVERS!! By now you will be sick of eating spaghetti but think of all the money you will be saving.
Day 3- Eat an apple or your favorite fruit for breakfast. For lunch have a meal prepped the night before. I usually do salads for lunch. Anywhere you go out to eat salads are extremely expensive and over priced so I like to make my own. I buy a head of lettuce or about 4 dollars that lasts me all week. I buy my favorite things to go in my salad: cheese, croutons, bacon bits, tomatoes. Then I like to make my own ranch. Believe it or not its SO simple to make restaurant style ranch. Buy the original style Hidden Valley Ranch packet for like $.50 and add a cup of mayo and a cup of milk and mix it together and thats it. YOUR DONE. Just like that you've got that special ranch that you can never get enough of. For supper make some tacos. You can use whatever meat you would like. I usually use hamburger meat because it is the cheapest. I get the taco bell shells, seasoning, and even the mild sauce packets at Walmart so i can make sure I am still getting the full experience of Taco Bell but just for a cheaper price! All you have to do is follow the instructions on the back of the box on what it tells you do and this meal will only cost you around $12.
Day 4- For breakfast eat some oatmeal. Oats are so good for you and its such a simple meal. Get the cups that are already made and all you need is water and to be put in the microwave to cook! You can add any fruit you would like to make them even more yummy! For lunch use your left over taco supplies to make a salad. Get you favorite bag of Doritos and crunch them up and add some lettuce, cheese, salsa, tomato, sour cream, olives. Anything you want!! This is one of my favorites! For dinner get some pork chops and defrost them. Add you favorite seasoning to them and add about 2 tablespoons of butter so a sauce pan. All you do is stick your pork chops in the pan and cook them until their done! To make this a great meal I get some wild rice in a box and it goes perfect with this meal. Also add in your favorite veggie. Broccoli or green beans!! All veggies can be cooked in the microwave btw ;)
Day 5- To start off the day buy your favorite brand and flavor of yogurt. For lunch make another salad. Even though by now you maybe tired of the salads but its Day 5 and your almost there!! You can also eat left overs if you have them! For dinner get the individually bagged tilapia and defrost it in the water. Turn your oven on 375 and get some aluminum foil to wrap your fish in. Cut up a lemon and use half of it to squeeze on top and then the other half to cook in the aluminum foil for more flavor. Use whatever seasoning you like... My favorite is the cajon seasoning. And let it cook for about 20 minutes! And your done!! You can also make some more rice or your favorite veggie to go along with this meal or whatever your craving! If your taking the healthy route just stay away from potatoes!
Day 6- THIS IS YOUR DAY TO EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!! Go out to your favorite restaurant and treat yourself to the best meal you've had all week! You deserve it!
Day 7- Since its the weekend I like to cheat and Sundays are usually days I go out and eat whatever I want to again. Its okay to have cheat days :) And we have saved money all week why not blow it on food again :)
