Food

At university, it’s much cheaper and healthier to cook for yourself than rely on takeaways and convenience food. We’ve assembled a few tips that might help you at the supermarket and in the kitchen.

Food shopping on a budget

Trying to shop on a budget can be tricky. The best advice is to make a list and stick to it. Don’t be tempted by supermarket offers.

You may also find these tips useful:

  • Never shop when you’re hungry.
  • Look at the price per 100g to compare prices.
  • Always buy unpackaged fruit and vegetables.
  • Do some research as to which fruit and vegetables are in season – they should be cheaper.
  • Always check sell-by dates, especially for perishable goods.
  • Have meat-free days – substitute meat with beans and pulses.
Two students in a kitchen

Quick and easy cooking

If you are a novice in the kitchen, it may be worthwhile investing in a cookery book. You can often pick up cheap but high-quality secondhand books in charity shops. Alternatively, the internet is an endless source of recipe ideas.

There are plenty of cookery books aimed specifically at students and there are also plenty of websites with quick ideas for cooking healthy, affordable meals. You may find StudentRecipes.com helpful.

Food waste might not seem like a big part of your budget but it can quickly add up. You can save money by only cooking what you need or by making bigger portions and freezing what you don't eat. Love Food Hate Waste lets you calculate how much you need to cook so there is little or no wastage. It also has some great ideas on how to re-use your leftovers.

Occupational therapy students