If you're lucky enough to have a Lidls branch close by you will be able to afford good health as a student. This lot was a part of my weekly food shop for a large family. It included a substantial amount of vegetables for cooking as well as raw salads. Chicken, turkey, beef, pork and bacon was more than enough meat for a week. There were a few tinned products, dairy products and eggs (eggs are essential). It cost less than £70.00. The only things it didn't include were toiletries and cleaning products because there are other places to source those things on the cheap such as Wilkinsons or Poundland.
As a student, you won't need to buy this amount of food in one go and you probably won't have anywhere to store it.
It is not necessary to eat meat every day in fact you will do well to cut down on it as long as you are getting protein in your diet. You will also need too follow rigorous hygiene routines when cooking and preparing food but I will cover that in a later post. Your five portions or more of fruit and vegetables is an absolute must. Don't be tempted to fill up on processed carbohydrates if you want to maintain energy, immunity from illness and a general feeling of wellness both mentally and physically.
Partying, lack of sleep and over indulgence are all part of student life and you need to defend your body with nutrient dense food rather than coffee.
If you have a freezer, you can buy a pack of mixed berries from any supermarket and add them to a bowl of porridge with honey to start your morning. Lunch could include lots of salad vegetables with some chicken or tuna and some wholemeal bread. Have a piece of fruit or some yoghurt for dessert. Whatever your main meal is, be sure to have plenty of steamed or stir fried vegetables with it.
If you have loads of vegetables that are about to go off in the fridge, never waste them. Everything can become soup as long as there are onions.
It is also important to be relaxed and enjoy life. If it means baking a few cakes and eating pastries, then go for it. Just never forget your five a day.
Mum.x
.
