The University of British Columbia

Many students have made efforts to eat healthy, but not everyone can stick with this goal. One of the common barriers is that people think healthy foods are pricier and less convenient. Being one of those people who strives to maintain a healthy diet, I would like to share my experiences.

When I first decided to add more veggies and fruits to my diet, I enjoyed the change tremendously, but eating at salad bars and smoothie places everyday drained my budget quickly. I spent around $20 a day for just lunch and dinner. It was not until I started to make meals myself that I realized I could certainly eat healthier for less money.

I decided to prepare meals myself for 5 days. I put around $60 in my budget and bought fresh ingredients including eggs, vegetables, bread, deli meat…to make foods like sandwiches, salads, or vegetable woks. Then, for 5 days, I made myself lunches and dinners. Although the ingredients were set, there were ways to combine them differently to make alternative dishes. To my surprise, the food I bought successfully lasted for 10 meals, each meal containing an adequate proportion of vegetables, meat, carbohydrates, and fat. Overall, I spent about $12 a day on average, that was $40 less a week compared with eating out. If you have a freezer, it is also a great idea to buy frozen fruits and make smoothies yourself.

My experience suggests that preparing food at home may save money and maintain a healthy diet. I suggest starting out small, like bringing lunch to school 2 days a week.