21 Cheap and Easy Meals for College Students

Packed with vegetables, beans, and spices in a creamy broth, this dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. I’m an in-home personal chef and meal prep coach for busy New Yorkers. Food is my love language, and I’m here to be your meal prep BFF. For fiber-rich carb options that support weight loss and gut health, see our Ultimate Guide to Dietary Fiber.

• I think when most people think about meal prep they relate it to dieting and it is a great way to maintain a diet but it can be so much more.
• Perfect for meal prep, these bistro-style lunch boxes can be assembled in advance, so you can simply grab and go on busy mornings.
• Not many people want to spend a long time cooking, especially when the whole point of meal prepping is to save time.
• Serve over salad greens, on grilled whole-wheat country bread or tucked in a whole-wheat pita pocket.
• Quinoa, a complete plant-based protein, is light yet filling.
• Making your own chicken pot pie is as easy as, well, pie!

Chicken and Hummus

It’s a skill anyone can learn, and it’s one of the best ways to stay consistent and feel confident in your nutrition choices. Prepping individual ingredients (think protein, grains, and veggies) allows you to mix-and-match your meals throughout the week without getting bored. With a little planning and a fridge stocked with already prepared ingredients, you can whip up unique combinations of food for your healthy lunches each day of the week. However, meal prep can seem overwhelming and many beginners don’t know how to start meal prepping properly. Another mistake is choosing overly complicated meal prep recipes. Dishes that require extensive prep work, long cooking times or recipes that create a pile of dirty dishes can quickly make meal prep feel overwhelming.

Easy Coconut Fish

First, it saves time by cutting repeated cooking sessions into one or two focused blocks. Second, it saves mental energy by removing the daily decision of what to eat. When your meals are already handled, you free up brain space for everything else. When meal prepping, using the right storage containers can enhance the longevity and taste of your meals, helping you get the most out of your efforts. Being consistent with your meal-prepping schedule will make the process a lot smoother.

Step 1: Start With A Plan

Canned tuna is an especially easy, cheap option for college students. And this recipe dresses it up, so you’d never know the meal only costs you a couple bucks. Plus, reviewers say this recipe is even great for people who don’t like tuna. If https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/ you’ve been prescribed a GLP-1 medication, such as Wegovy or Ozempic, to help treat type 2 diabetes or obesity, you may have noticed a change in your eating habits.

Should I Meal Prep If I Don’t Want to Repeat the Same Meals?

The key to this timesaver is prepping all the veggies at once, so you’ll be ready to stir up a sizzling mix in minutes throughout the week. This blogger has scoped out non-plastic containers for meal prep and carrying to the office. We love recipes that involve assembly and not actually cooking. That’s where our high protein snack box ideas come in. They’re great for weight loss since you’ll already know the protein, carbs, fat, and calories.

Pack Snacks and Quick Bites

Consider using a grocery delivery service to save even more time. Deciding how many meals to prepare and yahoo what to include can be a bit challenging. Low-carb and gluten-free, this recipe is perfect for keto fans and Paleo eaters. Keep supper simple but satisfying with this easy Middle Eastern-inspired recipe. It’s a little bit of everything – grains, green vegetables, red peppers, and chunky tofu, all tossed in a lovely soy and ginger sauce. Especially meal-prepping with a secret weapon – the Instant Pot.

The Complete Meal Prep Guide 2026: Save Time, Money & Eat Better

It’s so easy to make swaps depending on your dietary preferences. This packs so much flavor you don’t need any cheese, they’re naturally gluten free, sugar free, and simple to make dairy free too. Black Bean SoupTake your weekly meal prep to the next level by baking homemade cornbread to pair with this soup. They’re a match made in heaven, and both freeze perfectly. A good recipe for meal prep is one in which the flavor and texture are not affected by chilling in the fridge for a couple of days. Freezer burn will render your meals inedible and thus a waste of money and time.

What Is an Easy Weight Loss Meal Prep?

Make sure you get enough of the right food groups to fill out your macros. A balanced meal for keto and other low-carb diets should feature quality fats, some protein and very few carbohydrates. But there are some ready-made ingredients that are definitely worth skipping — like individually packaged foods. Before you even begin considering what you’re going to make, it’s important to think through how you’ll keep everything fresh and organized.

Pr-Oat-Ein Breakfast Cookies

Connect with a Registered Sports Dietitian through Berry Street. Apple cinnamon chia pudding is a fiber-packed breakfast or snack that supports blood sugar control and digestive health. Chia seeds are loaded with soluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, helping to keep you full for hours. Apples bring in natural sweetness plus antioxidants like quercetin, while cinnamon offers natural blood sugar regulation benefits.

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You can whip it up in just one pot and have it ready in under an hour. Pesto chicken is a simple dish that turns plain chicken breast into something special with just a few ingredients like basil pesto, heavy cream, and balsamic vinegar. This Massaman Chicken Curry is a simple one-pot dish that comes together in about 45 minutes with the help of store-bought curry paste. It’s creamy and slightly sweet, featuring chicken, potatoes, and peanuts, making it a comforting meal.

Here are answers to the frequently asked questions about meal prep to help you feel confident as you get started. Here are some of the top reasons to join the meal-prepping craze. With this super-simple list of ingredients, you can whip up a week of protein-packed lunches with very little effort (and in only 20 minutes). This taco soup is full of great flavor and protein to keep you satiated. Comprehensive progress can give you long-term results.