Gina Garrett
AmesEats Flavors writer
Some of the foods you remember eating frequently as a child, like macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, ramen noodle soup and pizza, may have been fed to you not for their nutrition, but because they are inexpensive. As a college student, these childhood food staples may find their way back into your diet as a way to feed yourself cheaply. Instead of reaching for the traditional options, try some healthier alternatives.
When food is cheap, like 33 cents for a box of macaroni and cheese, you have to wonder if you are getting your money’s worth? Well, you probably are … you aren’t getting much! This classic blue box isn’t as nutritious as other foods and sometimes we eat it even when we know it doesn’t taste great. There are other cheap food options that are good for your budget and your health.
Read food labels and try some new food ideas. Here are a few ideas about what to look for at the store.
- Eggs are less than a quarter a piece and the egg whites are a perfect protein source.
- Milk can be found for a little more than two dollars a gallon and provides protein, calcium and other vitamins.
- Canned beans can be found sometimes as cheap as 50 cents a can and are a better protein source than hot dogs.
