{"id":247,"date":"2024-12-10T19:25:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T19:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/myles-tupman\/?p=247"},"modified":"2024-12-12T16:16:10","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T16:16:10","slug":"cheap-eats-healthy-treats-a-students-guide-to-budget-friendly-nutrition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/myles-tupman\/2024\/12\/10\/cheap-eats-healthy-treats-a-students-guide-to-budget-friendly-nutrition\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheap eats, healthy treats: A student\u2019s guide to budget friendly nutrition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let’s be real: eating well at university isn’t easy when you’re counting every penny. Most students know the drill\u2014surviving 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.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study from the National Library of Medicine<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Signs to Grainger Market | Via thegraingermarket<\/a> on Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My pick of the stalls is Finlay\u2019s 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\u2019s price range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicken is a staple of any nutritional diet, easy to cook and packed with protein. Finlay\u2019s 5 kilos of chicken comes in at \u00a332 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren\u2019t looking to bulk buy, they provide a 3 for \u00a35 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Finlay\u2019s Quality Butcher | Photo by John Robert McNally<\/a>, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Speaking to one of the workers whilst going to pick up 12 kebabs (part of the 3 for \u00a35 deal) I asked how many students they tended to get as customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He replied \u201cmost of our student customers tend to be familiar faces, they come once and after that most of them say we\u2019re the only place they get their meat from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An unsurprising revelation, the cost and quality of local butchers like Finlay\u2019s makes them well worth the walk into town for. Although the worker also continued by saying \u201cI\u2019m surprised more students don\u2019t take advantage of places like the market, maybe we scare them off with the pigs heads we put on display\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meat isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fruit and Veg stalls at Grainger Market | Photo by John Robert McNally<\/a>, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Now you know where to get your food from, how do you go about preparing it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My best advice: meal prep, meal prep and more meal prep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take a few hours one night to prepare food for the following week, it saves so much time and means you don\u2019t have to worry about what you\u2019re going to have to eat in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seen a recipe on TikTok you\u2019d love to try? Go for it! The key to maintaining a sustainable healthy diet is to enjoy the process. If you\u2019re making food you hate, it is so much easier to fall back into the bad habits of junk food and takeaways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my favourite websites is Food Network UK.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n