It is hard to be a student. It is hard to be a student. You must attend class, study, complete homework, turn in assignments, and take tests. There is a lot to do and little time. Like most college students, you are on a tight budget.
If you spend so much time studying, you can lose track of other aspects of your life, such as laundry and dinner.
It’s easy for people to turn to quick and easy processed foods when they are short on time or energy. This could end up being a disadvantage. You might find yourself going on for hours without eating. This is not ideal.
Brainfood is an important phenomenon that will improve your cognitive performance. Foods with immune-boosting properties can help you to stay healthy throughout the semester. To save time, practice self-care and prepare healthy meals in the morning.
We have compiled a list of affordable, weekly meal preparation ideas that will keep you feeling great all semester.
Breakfast Prep Ideas: Healthy Meal Prep Ideas
You probably know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. These ideas for meal planning on a budget might make you a breakfast lover.
Overnight Oats
Oats are an excellent way to get started in the morning. Oats are healthy, nutritious, and naturally gluten-free. They are also high in fibre and not very processed.
There are many ways to prepare oatmeal, including bars and puddings. However, not all of these options will work if you have to be ready for class in the morning. Cue overnight oats.
Overnight oats are more like dessert than your first meal of the day. These overnight oats are, as the name suggests, made overnight. Mix a few batches before you go to bed and wake up to a delicious, rich breakfast waiting for you. The best part about this healthy breakfast is that it takes very little prep work and requires no cooking. Because you can prepare breakfast the night before, relaxing and enjoying the delicious breakfast with a cup of hot-brew oat milk lat is easy.
Banana pancakes
Breakfast prep can be made easier if you have a stove. This banana pancake recipe makes a great Sunday breakfast after a hard week of study and social events. Surprise your roommate or invite some friends to enjoy a warm, fluffy batch of banana pancakes.
Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls
If you are looking for a recipe to make Mediterranean Caprese chicken salad, this is the one. Most bowls include a base grain like rice or quinoa, a meat_ or legume-based protein source, vegetables, and dressing. After you have mastered the basics, you can create healthy combinations.
Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons balsamic vin, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon salt and pepper while the protein is cooking.
Once the chicken is cooled, make your bowls by placing a layer of quinoa on top and a few pieces of chicken in each container. Finish by topping with fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomato slices, basil, and the dressing you prepared. Along with vegetables such as zucchini, sweet potato or cucumber, chickpeas and feta make a wonderful addition.
This easy recipe is great for every day of the week.
Chicken Fajita Lunch Bowls
This recipe starts with a layer of grains, just like other bowls. We recommend brown or white rice in this instance. Cut 1 pound of chicken breast into pieces, then coat with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake it at 425degF for about 25 minutes. Turn the pieces carefully at the halfway point.
While the chicken is cooking, mix up your dressing. It contains 1 teaspoon of chilli powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika and 1 teaspoon of ground cumin. One tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 quarter teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons white vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
Recipes for Healthy Meal Prep and Dinner
After a long day of classes, it’s not easy to decide what dinner should be. Also, you don’t want your budget to be blown away by dining out. These easy, affordable meals can be prepared over the weekend, and you’ll give yourself the gift of time and delicious dinners for the week ahead.
Easy Lentil Soup
Lentil soup has many things going for it, and you can too. This soup is warm, hearty, and very healthy. You can make enough to last you for a week. This soup can be paired with a variety of bread and wraps. Don’t forget to add butter!
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot to make. Once the oil has melted, add 1 chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Once the carrots are fragrant, add 2 chopped carrots and 2 chopped celery rings. Next, cook 1 cup vegetable stock and 1 cup dry brown lentils. Add 6 fresh thyme sprigs, 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, 1 bay leaf and 1 teaspoon salt.
Vegetarian Chili
Warm chilli is great comfort food for cold days. You can heat it anywhere or keep it in an insulated container. Chilli freezes well if the chilli doesn’t cook in one week.
To get a better texture:
- Extract 1 1/2 cups chilli and blend it carefully.
- Add the pulp to the broth to thicken it.
- Before you are ready to serve, squeeze the juice from a large lime.
- Top it with a generous amount of sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of salt.
Here are some tips to help you meal prep in the right way
Food Storage Containers 101
Get organized. Plan a few days before your week begins, and then shop for the necessary ingredients. Expert meal planners use a virtual or written calendar to plan what they eat daily. You can also use loose paper and a pencil if that is not your thing. You can make this a fun, therapeutic activity. Take your time. You’ll feel accomplished and have provided self-care throughout the week.
Use quality containers: Learn how to store food. Because of the bacteria-resistant properties, all food is better preserved in airtight containers. Containers of sturdy materials such as thick plastic and glass should have sealing lids.
Get organized. Plan a few days before your week begins, and then shop for the necessary ingredients. Expert meal planners use a virtual or written calendar to plan what they eat daily. You can also use loose paper and a pencil if that is not your thing. You can make this a fun, therapeutic activity. Take your time. You’ll feel accomplished and have provided self-care throughout the week.
Use quality containers: Learn how to store food. Because of the bacteria-resistant properties, all food is better preserved in airtight containers. Containers of sturdy materials such as thick plastic and glass should have sealing lids.
Always let hot food cool completely before storing it in the fridge. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and also keeps the food fresh. To avoid melting the plastic, allow the food to cool before you place it in reus