I remember back during my Undergrad years I was preparing for my first fitness competition, and as college students we are always broke. I didn’t know how I was going to manage a competitive diet on a budget. So today, I’m going to share with you some of my secrets on how I maintained a healthy diet on a college student’s budget.
- Saved sale papers and cut out coupons
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VShopped at the Dollar Tree- When I would go to the Dollar Tree, I would buy potatoes, romaine lettuce, onions, carrots, black beans, spices, pasta, etc.
- Checked Target for deals on food for my pantry
Be sure to save all your sale papers because some days you may get lucky. I loved when I would check sale papers and I would be lucky enough to find a 3lb Jennie-O Turkey on sale for $5. YES, $5. I made sure I always had Chicken breast, gallons of water, oatmeal, pasta, fruits, and veggies on hand. A lot of individuals make excuses as to why they can’t eat healthy. I lived at the Dollar Tree when it came to buying my gallons of water because it was cheaper to buy them there, and some days I would be fortunate enough to find them priced the at the local grocery store.
No one is saying you need to shop at a Trader Joes or a Whole Foods to maintain a healthy diet, but it’s possible. Always stay away from the end caps and spend a little more time exploring the grocery store. Store brands are always good. When I was in college (and now), my main concern when shopping for food was the amount of sodium that is in a product. Too much sodium would give me headaches, so I try my best to watch my intake when it comes to that.
