Last Updated on January 2, 2024
In a recent NYU study, experts found that students gain an average of 1.5-6.8 lb during the first four months of college. Unfortunately, for students who enter college overweight, the average weight gain is often doubled.
From marketing schools to architecture schools, students everywhere have difficulty getting the nutrition they need to do their best in class.
However, the lack of resources, such as a full kitchen or the room to get creative, is a big factor in their poor nutrition habits. While this list cannot assuage the issues of space or culinary resources, it provides seven student-friendly recipes that are practical, affordable, and delicious.
- The Best Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Eating Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day for good luck has been a long-standing Southern tradition. Aside from the custom, black-eyed peas are quite tasty. And, on top of that, they are quick and simple to make!
Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas are scrumptious and quick-cooking beans. You do not even need to soak them; simply season them with delicious toppings, and you will have a providential bowl of good-luck black-eyed peas. While you are at it, do not forget about the collard greens; they are a wonderful addition to this recipe!
- Mexican Pulled Chicken & Beans
This Mexican Pulled Chicken is an easy, healthful meal that you can use in burritos, tacos, enchiladas, or as a main course: For all your Mexican-inspired cooking needs, this is the only chicken recipe you will ever need.
Essentially, chicken thighs are marinated in a smoky, aromatic spice mixture, seared, and shredded with two forks to create the most exquisite crispy, crunchy browned parts.
Pro tip: use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an affordable yet juicy, tender shredded meat that cooks up quickly! However, you can also use chicken breasts.
For a family weekday dinner, try this slow cooker Mexican dish!
- Pumpkin and Bacon Pasta
The bacon and pumpkin pasta recipe is, without a doubt, one of many people’s all-time favorite pasta recipes! This creamy pumpkin and bacon pasta is both flavorful and simple to prepare!
To prepare the most delicious smooth pasta sauce you will ever taste, combine roasted pumpkin, oregano, and rosemary in a food processor with seared smokey bacon, cream, Parmesan, and mustard.
With this creamy pasta, there is no need to serve extras because it is one filling meal. A dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc, would pair well with the pasta and cut through the sauce’s richness for a fancy night with your classmates.
- Beef and Cabbage Stirfry
If you have trouble incorporating veggies into your diet, this Beef and Cabbage Stirfry is for you. It gets packed with vegetables that you will learn to love and find highly addictive. Even better, all the ingredients are extremely inexpensive vegetables, so you can rest assured that you are doing your body and your student wallet a favor.
You can use a whole pound of sliced beef for this dish if you want more protein, but a half-pound should suffice to get the perfect meat-to-cabbage ratio.
Aside from the cabbage, you can also add some shredded carrots and sliced green onion for color and nutritional benefits. There are a plethora of different tasty additions to your beef and cabbage stirfry you can try!
Pro tip: To replace the 1/2 head of green cabbage and carrots, you can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix. This option is sometimes a more cost-effective option, as it prevents you from having a half-head of cabbage leftover.
- Firecracker Chicken Noodle Salad
This salad’s chili, coriander, mint, and lime will truly burst in your tongue and will definitely warm you up on a cold day! It is like the Firecracker Chicken Noodle Salad recipe got created to get you through on any day.
This flavor combination is rather versatile, as it could serve as a light dinner in and of itself or as a side dish. This salad keeps nicely in the fridge for three to four days, making it ideal for lunches; just keep the dressing separate and garnish each part as needed.
Pro tip: If serving as a side, you can omit the chicken, but it is a terrific source of protein if serving as a main dish. If you prefer a solely vegetable salad, you can leave the rice noodles out, but you will probably only need half the dressing.
- Aubergine parmigiana
This traditional northern Italian recipe is a delicious way to prepare aubergines. By topping them with Parmesan and tomatoes and then baking them, you can make a delightful vegetable meal that is both moreish and filling. It is delicious with roasted meats of all kinds, as well as roasted seafood.
- Bowties and Broccoli
Simple dishes win when it comes to eating on a budget. The fewer ingredients you require, the fewer ingredients you need to purchase, which helps keep your grocery price down while also making cooking simple. That said, the Bowties and Broccoli dish is a go-to recipe for individuals running on a budget without wanting to compromise health.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can use whichever pasta you have on hand, making it a meal choice that you will almost always have on hand.
Because it is ready in minutes and will keep you filled for hours, Bowties and Broccoli is everyone’s favorite simple recipe!
Crockpot recipes are the best when it comes to living on a student budget. Yet, there are also plenty of other ways to make the best of your limited resources. Plus, you never know; getting creative in the kitchen could help you discover a passion you would have otherwise never realized.
