You have your reasons for preparing home-cooked meals at college. Staying healthy is your priority. Plus, budgeting is much easier when you can buy inexpensive ingredients and turn them into a delicious meal. You also like experimenting in the kitchen, and you don’t want to abandon that hobby just because you’re a student.

Whatever your reasons are, cooking is a smart decision to make. You only need ideas, and we have a few great ones for you.

Standards that a Good Student Lunch Should Meet

  1. Portable

During the week, you eat lunch in between classes. You need a meal that you can pack and consume with ease. Get a nice bento box! It will keep your food fresh, but it will also inspire you to get creative with colors and ingredients.

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  1. Nutritious

A nutritious meal should include protein, fiber, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Such a balanced meal will give you enough energy to cope with all responsibilities of the day.

  1. Delicious

What’s the point in spending time and effort on cooking if you don’t like how the food tastes? There are plenty of healthy recipes that taste amazing.

  1. Easy to Prepare

You don’t have much time to prepare your lunch every single day. If the recipe requires more than 30 minutes of your time, you won’t be able to do it. Some students prefer EduBirdie in Canada to cover their assignments, so they can spend more time cooking and doing something else they like. But if you focus on simple recipes that don’t require much time, you won’t have to sacrifice your responsibilities.

  1. Affordable

If you’re like most students, you decided to prepare your meals because you want to save some money. Even the cheapest restaurant food costs much more than home-made meals. You need recipes with simple ingredients that you can afford.

Great Recipes for Student Lunch

  1. Chicken Burger with a Large Salad

You’re staying away from fast food, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a home-made burger.

You’ll need one piece of chicken steak. It’s best to marinate it overnight with a splash of milk, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and any spices you like. Put it in an airtight box and store it in the fridge overnight. Don’t fry the chicken in oil! Get a non-stick pan and cook the steak on both sides.

Get a nice (whole wheat) burger bun. Mustard is a much healthier option than mayo, so that’s your sauce. Place a leaf of green salad, a piece of tomato, avocado, and the steak in the bun. Add a large salad in your bento box, and you’ll only have to wait for lunch time to come!

  1. Stir Fry Rice with Veggies

Fried rice is the real deal! Even if you’re not a fan of rice, you’ll love this easy and tasty meal.

Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package. Cut all kinds of veggies: celery, carrot, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and whatever else you have in the fridge. You’ll love the recipe with some peas, too.

You’ll need a wok pan to prepare the meal. Cook the onions, peppers, and other veggies with a bit of sesame oil. Add the rice and break up the lumps with a spatula. Then, crack one or two eggs into the pan and stir until it’s cooked. Add a bit of soy sauce, and enjoy!

If you have some leftover chicken, feel free to add it in the mix.

Source

  1. Sweet Potatoes with Beans

Sweet potatoes are good for you! When you combine them with beans, you have a nutritious meal that will keep you full for hours.

Cook the potatoes in the oven for 30-45 minutes. It should be completely tender.

Then, prepare the beans. Dice an onion and cook it in one tablespoon of olive oil. Add a can of chopped tomatoes and cook until the sauce becomes thick. Add a can of beans and simmer for five minutes. Use seasoning to your taste.

Split the potatoes and mash the insides. Then, add the bean sauce and some sour cream on top. Lovely!

Enjoy Your Food!

The lunch suggestions above will give you more ideas to experiment in the kitchen. Remember to add different ingredients, so you’ll maintain balance between protein, fiber, carbs, and other nutrients. Your body needs a bit of everything, so don’t eliminate entire groups of food if you don’t have to.

Don’t forget to experiment! You’ll love your creations even more than the recipes you prepare by the book.

 

BIO: Judy Nelson loves food and writing. She combined these two passions into one: she writes about food. Her blogs inspire people to try new tastes and get creative in their cooking methods.