5 Cheap Healthy Meals For College Students

College life is one of the most freeing time of a young adult’s life, but as tempting as it might be to shop for junk food and eat at dessert bars, maintaining good health is just as important as studying. Cooking is also a stress reliever and a great opportunity to prepare and dine on a homecooked meal. So, here is a list is of inexpensive healthy meals you need to try!

1. Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken and Vegetables

A good source of protein and filling all around, you can easily make this meal for under 20 dollars. What matters is the main ingredient, which is the chicken itself. While the recipe may call for certain vegetables, feel free to mix and match them as you so desire. The lemon and herbs add a zesty more refreshing taste to the meal and will satisfy your hunger.

An hour to prep and cook, this meal is delicious even the day after. You’ll probably have enough leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day which will surely save you money and meal swipes!

2. Meal Prep Sausage, Peppers and Onion Skillet

This sausage and pepper recipe is topped off with a simple but spicy tomato sauce that is sure to leave your taste buds singing for more. This simple and inexpensive meal only requires a few main ingredients. As suggested in the previous recipe, feel free to mix and match your favorite sausages and peppers to suit your taste.

The spicy tomato sauce can be altered if you cannot tolerate spice. You may cut the number of chili flakes in half or leave it out altogether. On the other hand, if you love spice, you can always choose to add more. It’s your meal to prepare to your heart’s content!

3. Satisfying Beef Stew

This beef stew is tender, hearty and delicious. A perfect meal to save or share, it is both low in calories and filled with plenty of tender meat and vegetables. Everything you need can all be found at your local grocery store or supermarket, so you don’t have to worry about any difficult ingredients to hunt for!

While the list may seem long and therefore expensive, this recipe is made with quite a few common ingredients that are kept on hand, such as canola oil, flour, and several spices. Feel free to cut down this recipe to make four servings instead of eight!

4. Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Simple, refreshing and quick to make; this healthy salad will keep you fed for days. The salad uses a slightly heavier poppy seed dressing that may be sweeter than the usual Cesar or vinaigrette salad dressings, but the result is a delightful low-calorie meal that’s easy to prepare and won’t put a dent in your meal budget.

Feeling famished? Make the salad heartier by adding shredded chicken breast, which is a good source of protein. The extra ingredient will satisfy your hunger!

5. Chicken Thighs with Shallots & Spinach

Chicken is an affordable protein for anyone on a budget. This healthy entre is so simple and tasty you may find yourself making it again and again. One serving is under 250 calories!

The broth or white wine mixture will keep the chicken moist. The greens will absorb the excess juices adding to the flavor of this tantalizingly enjoyable and cheap meal. The original recipe makes six servings, so if you don’t feel like having leftovers, cut the recipe in half or better yet, share a dinner with your friends.