There comes a time when we have to let our baby birdies leave the nest. For our family, this was last year right around this time. Historically, I share tips and tricks for sending both big and little kids off to school in mid-August. Last year I couldn’t even muster up the ability to take a previously written article and send it out. I was a bit of a mess every time I thought about our son living away from home, even though I was so excited for him and this new adventure. While it was difficult driving away from campus without him in the car, I am happy to say that we all survived and even thrived, and no one got scurvy.

One of the biggest challenges kids face when off to school is how to feed themselves. If they are staying in residence with a food plan, they have to manage the funds that they have available to them. Spend enough to eat well, but not too much that they run out of funds before classes are finished. If they are living off campus, manoeuvring the grocery shopping, sticking to a budget, and cooking for themselves are all big adjustments that top the list.

Whether your young adult is living on or off campus, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

  • Find out which stores are either within walking distance or are on the bus route.
  • Many grocery stores offer student discount days and even free transportation to and from campus.
  • Discuss the value of menu planning, whether eating on campus or cooking for themselves. Variety in diet is important at every age and stage of life.
  • Take them along on a few grocery trips while they are still at home. Show them how to compare pricing on similar products, and shop the sales.
  • Find out what appliances are available or allowed in the living space. Having a clear picture of what they are working with will allow for maximum creativity and resourcefulness. Many residences offer a communal kitchen space that provides space in a fridge, a stove/oven, a microwave, and a place to plug in a kettle or coffee maker, etc. We were able to send a small fridge that was kept in his dorm room which was great. Some meals that were purchased on campus were such generous sizes that they could easily be divided into two meals.
  • Don’t have a kitchen? Make friends with someone who does. Offer to cook them a meal in exchange for using their kitchen.
  • Regardless of kitchen space, pack some glass dishes with snap lids for easy food storage. A few key pieces of cutlery and perhaps a favourite mug as well to help them feel more at home.
  • If you purchased a menu plan, find out exactly what is included and how to stretch their options as much as possible. Don’t waste money on foods they can easily have in their room, such as simple breakfast options and drinks. Making their own tea or coffee can be a huge money saver as well. Be sure to have a clear understanding about what is permitted in their room and what ‘cooking’ should be reserved for shared kitchen spaces.

Being Creative in Your Space:

Whether there is a full out kitchen, or its more like a form of glamping, there are plenty of creative ways to eat real foods when away from home.

No kitchen, no problem:

  • trail mix
  • bagged popcorn
  • pretzels
  • apples, bananas, oranges, pears

If you have a kettle, you can make:

  • tea, coffee, hot chocolate
  • oatmeal
  • soup

If you have a fridge, you can have:

  • yogurt, cheese
  • milk
  • fruit & veggies
  • hummus

If you have a toaster oven, you can make:

  • whole grain toast
  • frozen homemade waffles & pancakes
  • reheat leftovers

If you have a personal blender, you can make:

  • smoothies
  • guacamole
  • hummus

High Value Foods:

These foods are generally gentle on the budget while at the same time providing good nutrient value.

  • natural nut butters – almond, peanut
  • raw nuts & seeds
  • lentils, black beans, chickpeas
  • whole grain pasta & sauce
  • quinoa

General Health & Wellness:

  • minimize late night snacking & if you do, make it good quality choices
  • eat regularly – aim for 3 main meals & no skipping breakfast
  • get outside – with a sometimes-hectic class schedule & homework, we can forget to take advantage of the beautiful sprawling campuses; getting outside is not only good for physical exercise, it is also good for nourishing our brains and giving us some space to breathe

 

Wishing you well as you both begin a new adventure!