Healthy College Meals

College students do not have a lot of money to spare, but that doesn't mean they should skimp on their health. There are hundreds of meals that can be squeezed into a tight budget; it just takes some creative planning and discipline to stick to it.

Breakfast

• Breakfast cereals are convenient but they are not always the healthiest and often need to be eaten in large quantities for a person to feel full. Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, protein and fiber are essential. Hard boiled eggs are not only cheap, but they are simple to make. All you need is a pan and some water. Boil the eggs for approximately 12 minutes and then they can be eaten with a little salt and pepper or on the go. Fruit smoothies are a great way to get all your fruits in, in just one meal. Fruit smoothies are full of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. Place one banana, three large strawberries, 1/4 cup of blueberries, 1/2 cup ice cubes and 1 cup of orange juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. You can also add protein powder to the smoothie for added health benefits. Oatmeal is also cheap and extremely healthy, filled with a lot of fiber and protein per serving. If you do not like the taste of oatmeal, add a tablespoon or two of peanut butter, along with a teaspoon of vanilla and cinnamon.

Lunch

• Bologna is cheap but it has no essential health benefits. A lot of lunch meats are loaded with sodium and other preservatives. However, sliced turkey or chicken breast from the deli is a great source of protein and can be purchased for around $3 a pound at most grocery stores. Eaten with cheese, avocado (smash it up and use it in place of mayo), tomato and lettuce on 100 percent whole grain bread, it is a complete meal. Spaghetti with whole wheat noodles and some green beans is a great substitute for ramen noodles or macaroni and cheese. Instead of peanut butter and jelly, try a cheese quesadilla on a whole wheat tortilla shell, dipped in salsa and low fat sour cream.

Dinner

• Dinners can be tricky for college students because making an entire pan of lasagna isn't always realistic for one person. However, lasagna can be cheap to make and can be frozen in separate freezer containers to make individual meals. One pan of lasagna (9-by-13-inch pan) can make approximately 12 meals for one person. Freezing the lasagna in separate containers allows the college student to eat other things rather than lasagna five nights in a row. Other ideas of foods that can be prepared ahead of time and then placed in the freezer for later use, along with being healthy and budget friendly, are bean enchiladas, chicken noodle soup (can also be purchased in cans and then vegetables can be added) and meatloaf. If freezer space is limited, work out a schedule with roommates in which one person makes one meal a night and shares it with everyone else in the apartment. All of the above meals can also be made in smaller portions, such as an 8-by-8-inch pan, limiting the amount of leftovers available.