Parenthood

College Cooking – Beyond Ramen Noodles

Ramen Noodles – that quintessential foundation of every college student’s diet. I am still grateful to the manufacturer of those easy to prepare and delicious packets of salty goodness that sustained me through my college years. The manufacturer’s merciful gesture of making them so affordable at 8 cents a package kept my blood flowing through my veins and didn’t cut into my weekend beer budget.

I wondered sometimes if the ramen noodles manufacturers weren’t in cahoots with the guys in the beer industry. I could imagine a corporate meeting between the two going something like this:

Beer Guy: Sales of beer on college campuses are going down. The kids are too broke to buy beer anymore.

Ramen Gal: Hey, we can help out. We’ll make some delicious garbage food, make it super cheap – practically give it away – and then they’ll have more money for your beer. And, we’ll make it super salty so that they’ll be really thirsty for beer. We just need a cut of your sales.

Beer Guy: Deal!

I am not proposing that college students should ditch ramen noodles entirely; even at the current going rate of 20 cents a packet, they can still be an important denizen in every college student’s pantry. I am suggesting, however, that students open up their minds and wallets to healthier options which are delicious, inexpensive, and easy to prepare.

When Joel and I were trying to figure out how we would be able to afford to send all four of our boys to the college of their choice, we decided that they would have to have some skin in the game. This plan was devised to not only alleviate our financial burden, but also to teach our sons a thing or two about the real world and understand firsthand how much it costs simply to be human. Beginning their sophomore year, when they moved into apartments or houses with fully functional kitchens, they had to pay not only for their books, supplies, and social activities, but also for their own food. No more $200 per week dining hall plan. All they had to do was figure out how to budget their money and their time. Simple, yes? Well, actually it was a challenge for all of them, but with some ingenuity and time management skills, and coaching from yours truly, they somehow managed to stay alive and well with only limited trips to the Dollar Store for the 6-six pack of ramen to stretch their $80 per week food budget.

Long before the invention of ramen noodles, super foods filled the planet and sustained human existence for millennia at rock bottom prices. Sure, anyone can go to the Scratch ‘n’ Dent and buy a cartful of processed and canned foods and stay on budget. And, it is so easy to just order another pizza or go out for a greasy burger and fries, open a can of Chef Boyardee, or subsist on microwave popcorn. I know I committed those crimes and got away with them for many years, but without great results for my waistline or my physical health. To be clear, I am not opposed to utilizing some processed foods into cooking or eating at fast food restaurants, but with the bounty of inexpensive, nutritious, and easy to prepare foods, there really isn’t any reason not to cook primarily with ingredients that came from the ground or who had a mother. So, give it the ol’ college try!

I understand all too well about the stresses of college, both from my personal experience and from observing my sons’ trials and tribulations. The pressures of school work, cramming for tests and projects compounded with financial constraints, work, a social life including band practice, sports, fraternity/sorority obligations, and dating drama can all lead to unhealthy habits, particularly in the eating column. The vicious cycle of stress which leads to poor eating, which leads to illness, which leads to poor sleep, which leads to more stress, will continue if not put in check. A healthy diet is just one small, but vitally important aspect of a healthy life. Forgive me for sounding preachy, but I must remind you again that I am indeed a mom and it is by law that I preach. Sorry about that.

The sample two week meal plan (See below) incorporates a variety of different types of food, no fancy shmancy ingredients, and are available year round at most any grocery store. The shopping list (See below) is based on full-priced items from a typical suburban grocery store. Although many stores with dim lighting, carpeted floors, and elevator music, or those with “Whole” in the name, are fine establishments, their prices are almost always higher. I am a realist when it comes to college students’ food shopping habits, so I do not expect them to clip coupons, or even search for them on their phones, or look for the weekly sales ads, but if they would, the costs could be substantially less. I would, however, highly encourage students to sign up for rewards cards or apps, which most large grocers now have.

Several things about the meal plan should be noted. First of all, flexibility is key. Life happens – a full day on campus could lead to an unyielding craving for a Cheeba Hut sandwich. The thing to know is that most of these foods and recipes have a long shelf life and/or can be frozen and then defrosted in no time at all. Secondly, the recipes can and should be made in full form and portioned out for easy leftovers and portion control. Thirdly, there will be items that are not desirable. No problem! Easy substitutions can be and should be made. The meal plan is nothing more than a guide that you show what is possible.

Upon study of the sample meal plan, it should be noted that several meals are included where the cooking is left the professionals. In other words, go out and grab some sushi! College is all about experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly. College students should always make time for some fun, go out for burgers and ahem, beer (after you’re 21 years old – remember I am a mom!) and leave the stresses and worries behind.

Enjoy your first culinary adventures in the kitchen!

Two Week Meal Plan

College Cooking Grocery List and Pricing Chart