Living Healthily off a Student’s Budget.

Moving away to university can be an incredibly stressful and exciting experience. With all the strains of a new academic experience and the exposure to the winter cold and flu viruses of your fellow students, it is essential that you do your best to eat well so that you can keep your health up and so better enjoy your time at a UK or London University. There is nothing worse than when you allow yourself to get run down and so are struck with illness when you need to be studying for an exam or working on an important assignment. You may be worried that the small budget of a student will mean that you cannot afford to purchase the healthy foods that you need, but healthy eating does not require a big bank account. Just put these helpful tips into practice.

1) Buy in Bulk
Purchasing large quantities of basic foodstuffs will almost always allow you to save money, compared to buying small packets more often. A big bag of porridge oats can last for ages when stored in an airtight container and provide you with healthy, delicious breakfasts every day. You can vary your breakfasts by using different toppings such as nuts and honey one day, brown sugar and yoghurt the next, fresh fruit and maple syrup another day and so on. Similarly, pasta and rice can all be bought more cheaply in bulk. Dried goods are not the only area where savings can be made - frozen vegetables and meats are often as healthy as fresh, and can be bought in bulk and kept frozen until needed.

2) Cook in Bulk
As a student, you will often find that you get home after a long day of studying and socialising and simply don't have the energy to cook a healthy meal. It is these times when expensive, unhealthy takeaways or ready-meals are at their most attractive. You can have healthy, cheap meals waiting for you at home if you cook large meals and then freeze the extra portions. Bolognese, shepherd's pie and pasta sauces all freeze well, and can sit in your freezer ready for when you need them.

3) Plan Ahead
Before you go shopping, make a list of the meals you want to have over the next week, and then convert that menu plan into a shopping list. Having this list will help you avoid expensive and unhealthy impulse buys and mean that you are less likely to be seduced by 'special offers' on products that you do not want or need. If you want to save extra money, search online across your nearby supermarkets to see which products are cheapest in each shop, and then split your shopping across each supermarket so that you get every product for the best possible price.

4) Invest in a Slow Cooker
Often the cheapest cuts of meat are those that require long low-temperature cooking in order to break down the meat. A slow-cooker is a great investment, as it allows you to make amazing stews, soups and other dishes with cheap ingredients and only a few minutes of preparation. You then just turn on the slow-cooker and head off to class, knowing that you will have a delicious filling meal waiting for you at home. Modern slow cookers use only a tiny amount of electricity, meaning that you save on your household bills as well.

5) Make the most of Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. Cut your costs by looking for those fruits and vegetables that are in season, or choosing vegetables that were freshly frozen after being picked.
 

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