Her tips will help you fuel your body and mind — without breaking the bank.
1. Make a weekly meal plan and shop accordingly
Make a meal plan before going grocery shopping. Use it to make a grocery list of only necessary items for the week. Try this free meal planner.
2. Shop smart
Look for ways to save money on food using coupons, apps and student discounts. Check out these options:
- Use apps like Flipp, Flashfood, Food Hero and Too Good to Go to find discounted food near you.
- Show your student card and get a 10% discount at Metro on Rideau.
- Shop at affordable grocery stores like GreenFresh or Food Basics.
3. Buy in bulk
Consider bringing your own containers and buying items in bulk. This can be cheaper in the long run. Think of key staples: olive oil, rice, flour, sugar, nuts, canned tomatoes, pasta, dried fruit, balsamic vinegar, etc.
Bulk Barn has two great deals:
- Show your student card to get a 15% discount on Wednesdays.
- Bring a reusable container on Sundays to receive a 15% discount.
4. Freeze strategically
Freeze items, including bread, to preserve them. Or make a huge batch of sauce, curry, lentils or chili that you can freeze in portions and eat when you’re in a study crunch.
5. Cook at home as much as you can
Ready to get started? Try these cheap and easy recipes:
6. Avoid highly processed foods
Highly processed foods like cookies, sugary cereals, chips and processed meats contain excess sodium, sugars or saturated fat. In addition to not being great for your body and mind, they’re often more expensive and have excess packaging.
7. Buy in-season produce
Prioritize in-season produce as a cost-effective way to fill half your plate with fruits and veggies. Frozen produce is also just as nutritious and can be stored for a longer period.
8. Know where to go for support
For nutritional education and support, you can access the Personalized Health Education Program at the Student Health and Wellness Centre. If you’re really struggling to make ends meet, reach out for support.
Consider signing up to receive alerts for free food on campus through the Free Food Alert!
Additionally, the UOSO Food Bank runs a volunteer food cupboard at 85 University Private to provide emergency food relief to uOttawa students and their families.
Join us at our Nutrition Month events to learn more about healthy eating on a budget, connect with others and win prizes!