So I was recently talking to my older sister about how different our college experiences are so far- different majors, different age groups, different...
This post features a guide on how to do college meal prep.
I think it was during my senior year of high school that a friend of mine compared their college experience to having a narcissistic, possessive boyfriend.
At the time I thought this was completely ridiculous because not only was I suffering from severe senioritis, but it was college! College is fun all the time, what was she talking about?
But no, fast forward a few months and…I definitely get it now.
College life is time-consuming as hell.
Between classes, homework, work and trying to maintain some kind of social life, it’s hard!
Especially when you can barely find time to feed yourself.
But that’s exactly why we gotta find loopholes!
Enter college meal prep.
Prepping your meals ahead of time is literally a no brainer for college students.
It can save you time and money, keep you from grabbing junk food all the time, and make sure you actually eat something nutritious.
The thing is, you may not even know where to begin. But that’s where we can help you..
Here are 5 steps to take when doing college meal prep.
Step 1: plan your meals
Before you start throwing stuff in your cart at the grocery store, take a few minutes to plan out your meals for the week.
Think about how many meals you need (Are you prepping for all three meals or just lunch and dinner?)
What do you already have stocked in your fridge?
What’s cheap and easy to make in bulk?
A simple meal plan might look like this:
Breakfast: Overnight oats or scrambled eggs with toast
Lunch: Chicken and rice bowls
Dinner: Pasta with marinara sauce and ground turkey
Snacks: Yogurt with granola, fruit, or nuts
Keep it simple! You don’t need a fancy recipe—just basic, easy-to-make meals that won’t take hours.
Step 2: Grocery Shopping (On a Budget!)
Once you know what you’re making, write a grocery list and stick to it. A low food bill is essential for staying on budget in college.
You should try to get affordable, versatile ingredients that you can use in multiple meals.
Some budget-friendly essentials:
Rice, pasta or quinoa (cheap and filling)
Canned beans, lentils and chickpeas (great for protein)
Frozen or seasonal veggies (last longer and are budget-friendly)
Chicken, eggs, or Tofu (easy protein options)
Oats, peanut butter and yogurt for quick breakfasts.
You’re gonna need to buy these in bulk when possible, or go for store-brand items.
And please remember to plan for these purchases when making your budget so you don’t stretch yourself too thin…
Step 3: Pick a Meal Prep Day
Set aside a couple of hours one day a week.
Maybe you don’t have any classes on Tuesdays or you feel like Sunday is a better choice for you.
Either way, you need to give yourself time to cook and pack your meals.
It might feel like a lot at first, but it’ll save you so much time later in the week when you’re too busy (or too tired) to cook.
You just gotta bite the bullet and get it over with..
Step 4: Store Everything Right
I don’t think you wanna go through all the trouble of cooking that much food just to have it spoil mid week.
Storage is arguably the most important part of meal prepping.
Get some reusable containers from the dollar store or Amazon, and pack your meals according to perishability.
Fridge meals are good for three to four days, so you should probably eat these soon after packing.
Freezer meals on the other hand can last for a week or more so these are perfect for lazy days.
Also, pro tip: label your containers so you know what to eat first.
Step 5: keep it simple and switch it up
Meal prep doesn’t have to be boring! You can always swap your ingredients to give your taste buds a little variety.
Change up your protein options, add different sauces or mix up your sides.
It all depends on you at the end of the day though, so no pressure.
But yeah, meal prepping is a perfect way to save time in college. Try it for a week and see how much easier your life gets!
Before you go though, do you have any go-to college meal prep recipes? Let me know in the comments!
