Student Cooking

Money is always tight, but especially so for many college students.  Here's 3 tips to lower your student cooking budget.  I wish I would have known about them ten years ago when I was in school.

True healthy eating is generally more expensive.  But, as I've said before, you make the choice.  Pay now or pay years down the road with poorer health and chronic diseases.

With that being said, I do have some specific tips for you.  If I had known what I do now when I was in college, this is how I would have done things.

(1)  Shop More Frequently

This flies in the face of most recommendations because the concern is you'll spend more money.  Actually, only if you aren't disciplined.

Most students have a bad habit of binge buying when they are in the grocery store.  They wait and wait until the frig is bare and then they go on a shopping spree to the grocery store.  Buying all kinds of stuff they'll never eat.

When I was in college I walked to school everyday.  It was good exercise.  Relaxing.  On the way I passed a grocery store.  Maybe you don't but I'm sure a grocery store is within a reasonable distance.

You can be in and out in 15 minutes every 3 or 4 days.  That's not too much.

My main reason for shopping more frequently is because the foods you'll purchase are perishable.  Too often you'll go into a grocery store and buy enough fruits and vegetables for a week or two.  That's admirable until the food rots in your fridge.

Over time, that wastes a lot of your money.

Remember, discipline is the key here.  Don't go into the grocery store without a plan.  Make a list.  Stay on the perimeter.  Buy only natural foods that are perishable.  Only buy canned foods for back-up emergencies.  Eat those natural foods in the rawest, most nutritious state possible.  Buy what you'll know you'll consume in the next 3 or 4 days.  If you're unsure, don't do it.

(2)  Hunting

Montana is a big game hunting state.  Lots of folks hunt.  Some folks hunt and end up shooting more than they know they can eat.  While this is bad it presents an opportunity.  Most guys I know discover this faux pas only after the meat is processed.  I can't tell you how many times I've had friends come up to me and ask if I want some of their deer or elk that's just sitting in their freezer.

The best thing?  Venison is great.  Very nutritious.  No chemicals.  As natural a meat as you can get.  There is one downside...it's generally a low fat meat.  Too many folks nowadays think that ultra low fat is the way to go.  It's not.  You need fat.

Think of "Rabbit Starvation".  Say you get lost in the woods.  Then lets say you can get enough rabbit to live.  It's meat right?  Yes, but it's low fat and high protein.  Over time eating that high of protein (60% to 70%) will eventually kill your kidneys due to ammonia overload.

This is one of the reasons why bodybuilding is an unhealthy activity.  They place so much emphasis on getting sky high amounts of protein that they are slowly destroying their kidney function.

So you'll want to take that into consideration and make sure you're getting your fats elsewhere.

So, maybe you live in New Jersey.  That plan won't work, right?

Don't dismiss it so soon.  Ask around.  All states have hunting.

Also, ask around to local butcher shops.  I'm no expert on this as I don't have trouble getting meat at a reasonable price from other sources.  But, butcher shops will often have good deals on cuts of meat that most folks simply overlook.  Again, I'm no expert but I know there are books out there written by butcher's on this very subject.

"Confessions of A Butcher" by John Smith is one I see recommended a fair amount.

I haven't personally read this one but I have heard good things about it as far as basic, money-saving information.  It's a little thin and is apparently lacking in recipes and charts but, nitpicking aside, it's a good start.

You're in college, so look at the library.  If they don't have it, ask if they can get it through a inter-library loan?

Note:  I already checked on Amazon but there were no good deals on used books that I saw.  But it's still an option if you are really gung ho about learning more on the subject.

(3)  Vegetable Gardens

Like hunting a lot of folks have great intentions in spring and build a massive garden.  Come harvest they 'discover' that they have enough produce to feed a small army.

Keep your eyes open to these opportunities.  Perhaps they'll simply give you some of the vegetables?  Either that or it just rots, so most people would likely be open to that.

Granted, this isn't a year round solution.  But, while it exists it will save you money.
More Ways to Save?
Are there more ways to save?  Probably.  But these are a good start.  But I do issue one caveat:

At some point you have to draw the line between saving money and saving your health.  Good, nutrient dense, calorically light foods are produce, lean meats, nuts, etc.  They are generally more expensive.  There are ways to save money as I've pointed out.

Calorically heavy, nutrient light foods are processed and cheaper.  At least up front.

But, you either generally pay a little more now or a lot more later.