Let’s be real: eating well at university isn’t easy when you’re counting every penny. Most students know the drill—surviving on cheap pasta, supermarket meal deals, and whatever’s left in the reduced section. But good nutrition doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune or living off bland, processed foods. This guide is packed with practical tips to help you eat smart, stay healthy, and keep some cash in your pocket.
Even though we’re a gym and fitness page here at UniFit, we feel that one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of reaching your athletic goals lies in a balanced diet. As a second year student myself I understand the struggle. Between tight budgets, random lecture schedules, and the siren call of late-night takeaways, maintaining a healthy diet can feel like a full-time job on top of studies. Rent, social life, and academic pressures often push meal prep to the bottom of the priority list, turning nutritious eating into what seems like an expensive, time-consuming challenge.
A study from the National Library of Medicine reveals a troubling statistic: merely 47% of British students demonstrate a solid understanding of nutrition. Even more concerning is that having knowledge doesn’t necessarily translate to practical application. These students might understand nutritional principles in theory, but putting that knowledge into daily practice remains a significant challenge.
I am here today to bridge this gap and let you know that maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is not only achievable, but also affordable. Especially here in Newcastle, where there is an abundance of local traders selling fresh, high-quality ingredients at prices a fraction of what you will find in supermarkets.
Celebrating their 189th birthday recently, packed with history and an array of vendors Grainger Market is the perfect place for any student looking to improve their diet on a budget.
My pick of the stalls is Finlay’s Butchers. With over 100 years of experience having first started trade in 1912, the family ran business provides the highest quality of meat to suit anyone’s price range.
Chicken is a staple of any nutritional diet, easy to cook and packed with protein. Finlay’s 5 kilos of chicken comes in at £32 and is perfect for anyone looking to stock up for meal prep over time. With well over 2 weeks worth of meals packed into freezable bags, its a no brainer.
If you aren’t looking to bulk buy, they provide a 3 for £5 deal where you can choose from a wide selection of meats seasoned in different styles. From Chinese style wings to hot and spicy kebabs there really is something for everyone.
Speaking to one of the workers whilst going to pick up 12 kebabs (part of the 3 for £5 deal) I asked how many students they tended to get as customers.
He replied “most of our student customers tend to be familiar faces, they come once and after that most of them say we’re the only place they get their meat from.”
An unsurprising revelation, the cost and quality of local butchers like Finlay’s makes them well worth the walk into town for. Although the worker also continued by saying “I’m surprised more students don’t take advantage of places like the market, maybe we scare them off with the pigs heads we put on display”.
Meat isn’t the only produce on offer at Grainger Market, there are also an assortment of fruit and veg stalls with an array of products from exotic to local.
This is where I’ve found the most value at the market. The ability to source high-quality, varied ingredients in one location has dramatically enhanced the nutritional value and flavour profile of my meals.
Now you know where to get your food from, how do you go about preparing it?
My best advice: meal prep, meal prep and more meal prep.
Take a few hours one night to prepare food for the following week, it saves so much time and means you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to have to eat in the future.
If you don’t know what or how to cook, the internet is your best friend. I implore you to try out new recipes from all corners of the social stratosphere.
Seen a recipe on TikTok you’d love to try? Go for it! The key to maintaining a sustainable healthy diet is to enjoy the process. If you’re making food you hate, it is so much easier to fall back into the bad habits of junk food and takeaways.
One of my favourite websites is Food Network UK. They have thousands or recipes all stored in one place. There are options to save certain recipes so it means you can organise the foods you like for when you want to make it again.
Now you know one the best places to get affordable ingredients, and what to do when you have them, I have one final piece of advice. Just cook and have fun doing it!
I hope to have proved today that budget friendly nutrition is achievable and affordable. If you have any questions or want to add any advice yourself, feel free to use the comment section below or message us on our socials, also linked.
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