The College Girl’s Guide to Eating Clean on a Budget

Eating clean in college can be hard. With so many of us bouncing from one activity to the next and trying to maintain a full course load and even a part-time job, maintaining a healthy lifestyle often sits at that bottom of our priority list. But maintaining a healthy lifestyle actually helps the ever active collegiette. One of the many complaints I hear is how expensive healthy food costs. Some dtudents argue that it’s impossible to eat healthy on a college budget, but lets think reasonably here.

We could all do without one Chef Geoff’s super mug, burger or even a $4 latte each week and many would be surprised as to what you can get for $50 a week at your local grocery store.

Here are a few pro-tips to help you eat clean and maintain your budget.

1. Get a Club Card or Rewards Card at your local supermarket

These cards are great! With the simple swipe at the checkout counter you immediately earn points, cash-back, or money-off specially marked items. Look for these in local or chain stores.

2. Look for coupons in the mail

While couponing is addictive and time consuming, the deals are incomparable.

3. Plan out your meals for the week

If you plan out what you will eat for the week, once you get to the grocery store it’s easier to get what you need and not be distracted by the countless aisles of processed food.

4. Eat local and in-season

Local produce is usually cheaper than purely organic because it requires less money and gas to transport, while in-season produce just makes more sense…who wants to eat something that shouldn’t be growing during a certain time of year?!

5. Organic does NOT mean better

The USDA bylaws for what is considered organic are unclear and unregulated.

6. Avoid packaged or premade foods

These foods are often almost double the price of what it would cost to make in your own kitchen and oftentimes have high sodium content.

7. Always eat your leftovers

When you throw away food, you are throwing away money. Think about that!

Here is a typical daily meal plan that is easy to stick to and has many health benefits.

Breakfast:

½ cup of oatmeal with 1 cup of milk and a handful of frozen berries

Add protein by including 1 egg and cutting the milk portion in half.

Morning Snack:

1 apple, 2 tablespoons of almond butter

Lunch:

2 hard boiled eggs, 1 cup of sautéed greens or mixed veggies, ½ cup of brown rice or quinoa

Afternoon Snack:

½ bell pepper + 1 tablespoon of hummus

Dinner:

1 Chicken or Turkey Breast (4-6 oz.), 1 cup of a green or brightly colored vegetable (these are often cheaper if frozen), and half a medium sized sweet potato

While this meal plan may seem boring, it is economical, healthy, and can be tailored to your liking by adding spices, frozen/jarrred/fresh garlic, or fresh citrus for flavor.

Looking for some extra help, Clean Eating Magazine has some great pointers and fabulous recipes.

Enjoy!

Photo Credits:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=organic-agriculture.html

http://www.myrecipes.com/quick-and-easy/how-to-store-leftover-food-10000001872945/

http://www.organicallyyou.org/

http://persephoneskitchen.com/category/eat-local-challenge/

http://www.bakeaholic.ca/weekly-meals/weekly-menu-planning/

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/weight_loss_diet_plans/diet_meal_plans

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AexCqaBs0P4/UYH04TkKitI/AAAAAAAAFq8/g4a_Ouod-u8/s1600/got-coupons-final-copy.jpg

http://media.komonews.com/images/100729_safeway_club_card.jpg