This blog was written by our student intern, Pranay.
Being a student means constantly juggling deadlines, late night cramming and part-time shifts. For me, food used to be an afterthought. I lived off instant noodles and iced coffee but it left me tired, unfocused and drained.
The turning point came when I realised eating better didn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Simple swaps like adding boiled eggs, canned tuna or chickpeas for protein, using frozen veggies instead of letting fresh ones rot and seasoning meals with cheap spices made a massive difference. Suddenly I wasn’t just surviving the day. I had energy for lectures, gym and even those 11 pm study sprints. Cooking once and eating twice also became my secret weapon, leftovers turned into tomorrow’s fuel without costing me extra.
Two meals became my go to foodie hacks. A quick Vietnamese pho with rice noodles, veggie stock, frozen spinach and an egg tasted like a $15 restaurant bowl but cost less than $5. On warmer days, a Mediterranean chickpea salad with just chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, spinach and a splash of lemon felt café worthy without the café price. Both are cheap, filling and genuinely delicious.
Eating well at uni isn’t about having a perfect diet it’s about making smart, budget friendly choices that keep you feeling good. And trust me, the boost in energy, focus and mood is worth way more than another packet of noodles.
At the end of the day, food is fuel and the better you fuel yourself, the easier uni life becomes. The right meals don’t just save money; they save energy, brainpower and even your mood. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: looking after what’s on your plate is the first step to looking after yourself.
