Taste What’s Next!: How to eat well without starving your wallet

Perhaps you’ve heard the stereotypes regarding college students and food such as, “the starving college student,” or “the freshman fifteen?” I experienced both within my undergraduate career. I’ll dish out the details:

THE FRESHMAN FIFTEEN

What it is: The tendency for college freshman to gain 15 pounds (or more or less) of body weight.

Why it happens: You are responsible for what you eat for the first time; you might eat what tastes good or reminds you of home to bring comfort in a new situation. You also might have money to burn if you have a parent-paid dining hall card and the food is actually decent.

How to avoid it: Make sure to get your body moving each day, even if it’s just walking to and from class!

THE STARVING COLLEGE STUDENT

What it is: The tendency for college students to forgo food to spend what little money they have on non-basic needs like entertainment.

Why it may happen: You are still learning how to manage money and you might not consider food as important as a killer night out with friends or saving up for spring break.

How to avoid it: Track your spending for one month and see where you can cut corners to set aside money.

Eating well on a starving college student’s budget

1. Eat when you’re physically versus mentally hungry! It’s an easy way to stay within your budget and healthy weight range, too.
2. Eat whole foods. If you eat foods that grow from the earth or feed off the earth, chances are you will get all the nutrients you need for physical and mental wellness. Healthy foods may cost more, but they are more satisfying so you could end up spending less in the long run.
3. 80/20. If you eat healthy 80 percent of the time, you can get away with a tasty treat without damaging your physique or performance. 
4. Check out a local farmer’s market. It’s cheaper to buy foods straight from the farmer versus a grocery store.
5. Take a cooking class. Or, learn at home! It’s always cheaper to make your own food

The Farmer’s Market vs. Fast Food Experience

Farmer’s markets are cropping up in communities across the country and many colleges even host them now! My favorite cousin, James, set out to chronicle the experience of farmer’s market versus fast food   with $10 to spend at each.

The guinea pig: James Allen, 22, Student, Onondaga Community College (www.sunyocc.edu)

Farmer’s market: My eyes were on the vegetables and fruits because that is what I lack in my diet.

Fast food: I wouldn’t say I live off fast food, but it is an extensive part of my diet.

Fresh versus fast: I met some of the local farmers at the  market and the people were very friendly. The market fruits were fantastic. I was less than satisfied with my meal from the fast-food chains and also got much less for my money. As far as bang for your buck, the items at the market sold for less than a dollar, while the fast food restaurants I visited didn’t offer anything for under a $1.13.

Alyvia Burkey, MS, CHES, is a certified health education specialist who is passionate about improving the health of America’s children.