Summer is coming to end, which means that college students like you and I are getting ready to head back to school. No matter where you go to school, one thing remains true. Sometimes, the dining hall just doesn’t hit, and Doordashing gets heavy on your wallet after a while. But I’m here to tell you that there’s another option: meal prepping. I’ve mentioned loving to cook before, but when school starts and my schedule gets busy, finding time to cook my meals gets a bit tricky. By making food ahead of time, I’m able to strike a perfect balance, and now, you can too. So here’s a complete guide to meal prepping in college.
Find The Right Containers
Before you start your meal prepping journey, it’s extremely important that you have good containers to hold your food. I have two main types that I use. First, I have snack pack containers, which are divided into four parts and work best for light lunches. I love to prep chicken or avocado salad for these containers, and fill the remaining slots with crackers, fruits, and a sweet treat. I also use glass containers, because not only are they guaranteed to be microwave safe, but they’re also far easier to clean. These containers work best for full meals, and I use mine to portion out lunches all the time. The ones I’ve linked above aren’t exact copies of what I have, but they’re essentially the same, minus the brand.
Keep Costs Low
Since lots of college students worry about keeping costs low, meal prepping might seem daunting. After all, groceries can be expensive, and you might think you need a ton to prep in advance. But I’ve found that meal prepping has actually saved me money in the long-run, especially since I’m less likely to reach for my Doordash app if I have pre-made food ready to go. Plus, there are tons of meals you can make that use the same ingredients, so you get the most bang for your buck. For example, one pound of ground beef can make two separate meals if you split it in half, and grain bowls and pasta dishes can be made with one box of rice or pasta, and they can last for a while.
Some of my favorite things to meal prep are taco bowls, chicken salad, and American Goulash (also known as American Chop Suey depending on where you live). The reason I prefer these types of meals is because they are cheap to make and yield several servings, meaning I don’t need to break the bank to make a week’s worth of meals.
Another great tip to save money on groceries for meal prepping is to look at what your dining hall offers. Most colleges, including my own, offer to-go boxes for students. I’ve personally made homemade ramen bowls using vegetables from my school’s salad station, and have taken several hard-boiled eggs to meal prep egg salad in advance. If your dining hall has a sandwich station, that’s another great place to fill up your to-go box with ingredients.
Schedule It Out
My final meal prepping tip is to pick a day to do it every week, and stick to it. Finding the time, energy, and motivation to prepare meals in advance can be difficult on top of classes, jobs, and extracurriculars. By carving out a time and day beforehand and making it part of your routine, you’ll feel ready when the time comes. I personally find Sundays to be the best day for me, because I usually have my homework done by then, and Sunday is already my reset day, so meal prepping fits in easily. Choose what works best for you, and your stomach will be sure to thank you.