Ramen noodles are the staple of college kids everywhere. With a hot pot and a quarter, you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, Ramen noodles aren’t meant to be the staple of one’s diet. No one expects you to find the time to cook a gourmet meal, but you can learn to cook healthy fare in the shortest amount of time, and as cheaply, as possible.
If you’re in college, it may surprise you that you can eat great if you are on a budget! Here are five fast and healthy meals for every college student:
1. Baked Potato
What can be easier than popping a potato in the microwave for five minutes? To make a fantastic potato, grab an Idaho, wash it well and poke holes in it with a fork to prevent it from exploding all over the inside of your microwave. Cook it on high for 2 ½ minutes, open the door and flip it over, cooking the other side for the same amount of time. When your potato is done, dress it in whatever manner you prefer. One of our favorite, healthy options is salsa!
2. Crackers and Cheese
You can literally make a meal out of crackers! Slice some cheese, a tomato, some salami or pepperoni and build a plateful of deliciousness. With the amazing variety of flavors in crackers, you can easily find something you’ll love. Get creative with your toppings! Tuna salad, chicken salad or even shrimp salad can make great cracker spreads. For a warm treat, top your crackers with cheese and nuke them for 15 to 20 seconds.
3. Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a favorite for kids everywhere. Why not jazz up this well-loved food and turn it into an adult meal? Add tuna fish, peas and breadcrumbs for a no-bake tuna casserole. Cook your macaroni and cheese, fry a bit of hamburger and mix the two together. Top your dish with crumbled Frito’s or dried onions and you’ve got a crunchy, satisfying dish.
4. Quesadillas
Do you love Mexican food? Save your money and make it at home! Grab a package of tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa and anything else you want to add. Put your tortilla on a plate, sprinkle it with cheese and the rest of your topping, roll it tightly and put it in the microwave. In as little as two minutes, you’ll have a fabulous snack that doesn’t put a huge dent in your wallet.
5. Parfait
When the weather is warm, nothing beats a parfait for lunch! With a container of vanilla yogurt, a container of fruit and some granola, you can easily create a layered parfait that will make a wonderful, light meal. For a bit of added flavor, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey.
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to eat healthy. You can easily create fantastic meals on a budget that take hardly any time to prepare. Just be ready: once your friends see what you’re eating, they may start heading to your room instead of the cafeteria!
Jeremy Clark is an amateur chef and finance advisor searching for the best online mba program to help accelerate his current position.
