Learning how to stretch a buck can be more important than some lessons learned inside of the classroom. Students struggling to live on a tight budget often think they can only afford to stock their cupboards with Ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese and cereal.
True, Ramen can fill you up for 12 cents a bowl, but students are not doomed to four years of compromising their health and taste buds for their wallet. Students who shop sensibly can make delicious, easy meals for less than three dollars each.
The first step student shoppers should take is to become friends with their freezers.
Suzanne Buck, a University Catering sous chef, said even if you can get a little bit of freezer space it can really help.
"I always wait until the last minute until I eat," said Andrea Chevailer, a junior in human development and family science. "I'm so hungry that I don't want to fix something that takes too long."
Instead of grabbing a microwave pizza, Buck suggested making large meals such as casseroles or stews and then using containers to freeze individual servings. This way, during finals week and other busy times meals are in the freezer and ready to go.
Time isn't the only thing freezers will save.
Buying items such as cheese or meat in bulk or family sizes and then simply freezing them can save money.
When freezing things, squeeze all the air out of the bag first, otherwise Buck said that moisture will cause food to taste "rubbery and nasty."
Freezing meals can also help students consume healthier meals. According to American College Health Association's 2006 report, only 5.7 percent of Ohio State students ate enough servings of fruits and vegetables.
The thought of old fruits and vegetables smelling up an apartment is enough to thwart many students from buying fresh produce.
"Canned and frozen vegetables and fruits are the easiest and cheapest way to go," said Janele Bayless, a registered dietitian and wellness coordinator.
Many freezer aisles are full of prepared vegetables and variety packs, which can save students from having to chop vegetables themselves.
When buying fresh produce, choose carefully because one rotten item will spoil the entire bag.
Look for creative ways to use everyday ingredients. Many basic foods can serve multiple purposes. Mixes such as Bisquick or crushed cornflakes can be used for breading. Blended seasonings and marinades can be used to add flavor to a variety of dishes.
Buck suggested keeping an open mind. Just because the recipe calls for steak or chicken doesn't mean other things can't be used.
Don't be afraid to substitute a main ingredient for something that is on sale or sitting in the freezer.
"Experiment with things," Buck said. "A lot of times it will work."
Planning out meals in advance before grocery shopping will cut back on not only confusion, but also on unnecessary spending. Bayless suggests picking two or three main meals that can be made and frozen and to buy all of the ingredients at one time.
Despite premonitions of toiling over the stove while ignoring hunger pains, cooking can prove to be a soothing pastime.
"I like to take time out of working and studying to cook," said Katie Holcomb, a junior in English and actuary science. "It's relaxing and better than eating disgusting, microwave dinners all the time."
Erin Pompili can be reached at pompili.5@osu.edu.
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Ten Ingredients
Students can use these inexpensive ingredients to make a variety of meals from cereal to pizza:
1 package boneless chicken breasts Tip: as soon as these are bought, cut in half and put in bag and store in freezer. 1 bottle of ranch dressing 1 package shredded Mozzarella cheese 1 carton of milk 1 package flour tortillas 1 tomato Tip: after buying, chop tomato and store in refrigerator. 1 half-carton eggs 1 small jar of marinara sauce 1 box cornflakes 1 container parmesan cheese Breakfast Burrito Sprinkle tortilla shell with a few drops of water and microwave for 10 seconds to soften. Pour eggs into a lightly greased skillet and stir over medium heat until eggs are no longer runny. Spoon the eggs into the middle of the tortilla shell. Top with cheese and tomatoes. Fold in two opposite sides and roll. Chicken Parmesan Pour marinara sauce into microwave safe dish, cover and microwave on high for two minutes to warm sauce. Mix parmesan cheese with cornflakes, set aside. Dip chicken in egg then coat completely with cornflakes mixture. Place in microwave safe dish, cover and microwave on high for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating one half turn after five minutes. Pour heated sauce over chicken and sprinkle with cheese. Microwave on 50 percent power for three to five minutes, until juices run clear. Chicken Ranch Pizza Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place one tortilla on greased baking sheet, cover with one and a half tablespoons of ranch dressing and top with second tortilla. Bake for one minute. Remove and cover with one and a half tablespoons of ranch dressing. Sprinkle with half of cheese, chicken and tomato. Top with remaining cheese. Return to oven and bake for six to nine minutes, until edges are crispy and cheese is bubbling. |
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