Diary Entry 3: Cheap and enjoyable meal ideas

At university, meal ideas and cooking were separate from my daily routine. I usually ate what was cheap and easy to make, which meant I ate everything that cost me as little as possible.

However, this type of eating came to harm me in the future, and now that I am older and wiser, unfortunately, I had to correct my eating habits to improve my health and emotional well-being.

It would be best if you didn’t go through what I went through, and I hope the information I provide will be helpful to at least one person. So here is a list of the cheap and enjoyable meals you can make as a university student.

Spaghetti Bolognese

One thing that, as a young adults, I didn’t notice is that buying premade food or eating out every other night is more expensive and less healthy than actually making your food. Spaghetti Bolognese is a pretty easy meal idea without breaking the bank. It is tasty and filling; when you add a bit of cheese, the taste is extra divine.

Homemade Pizza

You may be wondering why I will add pizza to this list as a meal idea, as pizza is considered not healthy or quick to make. Homemade pizzas are easy to make with less fat than the pizza you buy at a restaurant or local supermarket. You are in control over the preparation and ingredients, and you can create any pizza you want from scratch.

Chinese Fried Rice

The Chinese classic fried rice is a classic that many love; this a great meal idea that somebody can make quickly with leftovers from the night before or with what you have on your fridge. Anyone can add anything to the fried rice, from chicken, pork, or beef, and you can also be flexible with the vegetables. My advice for extra flavor avoid cans and frozen vegetables because many of these products have been stored for too long, meaning they have lost their original characteristics. Use fresh vegetables that anyone can buy at a supermarket or a street vendor.

Basic beef burger

Another favorite meal idea of many young adults who don’t have time is pretty cheap and easy to make. Did you know that burgers made at home are tastier, more fun, and healthier than those bought at fast food places? Making a burger at home will protect your health and give you a better appreciation for a juicy, tasty burger. Most of the time, you already have most of the ingredients to make it, so I advise you that next time you crave a burger or want something to eat, try and make a burger from scratch; you won’t regret it.

Try as much as possible to prepare your food!

I know that as a young adult, the priority is not eating healthy or making food from scratch because of time constrains which means there is not enough time to cook something for yourself. Sometimes the accommodation at universities does not allow or provide a space to prepare your food. Nevertheless, be creative and think of ways to improve your eating habits because your body will thank you in the future!