Students across college campuses nationwide are spending an average of $8 to $10 per meal at on-campus fast food locations. If you are someone who needs their daily $5 gourmet coffee and relies on buying $10 meals Monday through Friday, you are spending up to $75 dollars per week just on coffee and lunch! The average single American outside of college spends about $4 per meal- including money spent at restaurants. This major decrease in food spending is due to increased grocery purchasing and meal preparation at home. Not only does meal preparation help you save money, but it can help students control their weight, create a nutritionally balanced diet, and ultimately reduce time spent making food choices.
Additional Resources
Start with the UAB College Pantry List to build your pantry with nutrient dense items that are frequently used in healthy meals.
- Fresh Market - Little Big Meals
- EatingWell - Meal Planning 101
- AllRecipes - Cooking Beginner’s Guide
- AllRecipes - Cooking Advanced Course
- Cooking Light - 5 Ingredient Meals
- The Nutrition Source - Guide to Meal Planning and Prepping
- The Nutrition Source - Recipes
- Emeals Meal Planning and Grocery Delivery Service
- Proper Portions