The perfect grocery list for a college student is not one that has all the delicacies or good things of life gracing it. What makes a healthy college grocery list is its ability to adapt to the student’s financial reality while catering to the student’s immediate needs.
In this article, we’ll help you draw a catalog of things that should make a college grocery list.
A grocery list is a handy tool that can help you navigate the store with ease and help you stick to your healthy eating plan.
A well-thought-out grocery list is not only a memory aid, it can also keep you on track, minimizing impulse buying while saving you money. It will also set you up for success even when you’re tight on time, helping you keep nutritious food on hand to eat all week.
Grocery shopping is a personal and unique experience. No two shopping lists are the same. People develop and evolve their groceries to suit their needs and situation.
Whether you live in a dorm room with a meal card, or out on your own in an apartment these college grocery list tips will work perfectly for you.
Take a quick look at the table of contents below.
Why Do I Need A College Grocery List?
Grocery shopping can be a difficult task, even for the most organized person. Attractive, unhealthy foods seem to lurk in every path, threatening to offset your health goals.
Essentially, a grocery list is so important because it prevents you from buying things that you don’t need and also keeps you in tune with your budget. Here are the reasons you need a grocery list as a student:
- To avoid buying unnecessary items
- To avoid going way over your budget
- Prevents you from buying something you already have
- To avoid ending up with random food items that don’t go together
- Stops you from forgetting things you actually need
- It prevents you from going to the store multiple times
- To keep you on the healthy track as you don’t get to include things you don’t need.
- It saves you time and stress
See also: College Student Budget Template: How To Track Your Spending In School
How Do I Create A College Grocery List?
Going grocery shopping without an organized list can lead to you aimlessly moving around the store without a detailed plan.
Having a grocery list has many benefits like keeping you on the healthy track and preventing additional trips to the store.
Follow these steps to make an organized grocery list:
Step 1: Have A Running List
Have a “to buy” list somewhere in your room. Use this running list to keep tabs on items that you have run out of or are close to needing to be replenished.
Step 2: Create a Meal Plan
Meal planning is the best way to ensure that you are only purchasing items that you need, not going way over your budget, and staying organized.
Step 3: Take Inventory of Staple Items
The first step to creating a grocery list is to go through your pantry and fridge and take inventory of any staple items that need replenishing. Eggs, Milk, Butter, Granola Bars, and any canned goods you use regularly need to be on the list.
Step 4: Look Up for Coupons
Look up different coupons and specials that are available to you prior to organizing your list. By doing this you’ll find a deal on something that would normally cost you some more bucks. This will help you stock up and save money.
Step 5: Organize by Sections
To make your shopping trip less time-consuming and labor-intensive, organize your list according to the sections in your grocery store. If you divide your list into sections, it’s much easier to ensure that no items go overlooked.
Step 6: Specify Quantity
The quantity of one item is very important when creating your list. It is good to know how much of an item you need to get in advance.
Step 7: Check Your List
Make sure to go over your list and make any final edits before it’s time to leave for the store. If necessary, make a copy of your list.
What Are The Essential College Grocery List for Students?
Whether you are living in a hostel or private accommodation as a student, you need to cook your own meals. And to do so, you need to have the following on your grocery list.
Here is a list of 30 essential grocery lists for college students. This list is divided into non-refrigerated, refrigerated, and frozen food items:
College Grocery list (Refrigerated)
- Butter/Margarine
- Milk/Coconut Milk/Almond Milk (Your favorites)
- Eggs/Egg Substitutes
- Cheese (any) Cheddar, Ricotta, Feta, Brie, etc.
- Fresh fruits/vegetables (Apples, bananas, tomato, lettuce, etc.)
- Condiments (pick your favorite most-used only) Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Barbeque Sauce, etc.
- Deli Meats/Bacon/Rotisserie Chickens Pre-cooked or buy your own
- Yogurt
- Pickles, Olives, Hot pepper rings, marinated vegetables.
College Grocery List (Non-refrigerated)
- Bread
- Flours- All-purpose, Whole Wheat, Flax Meal/Flour, Almond Flour, etc.
- Oils- Extra Virgin, Coconut Oil, Walnut oil, Peanut Oil, Sesame Oil, Vegetable Oil, Cooking spray, etc.
- Honey/Peanut Butter/Almond Butter/ Sunflower seed butter, etc.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder and other baking basics, Vanilla extract, chocolate chips, marshmallows, jello, cooked instant pudding/custards, baking powder, Baking soda, Corn Starch
- Whole Wheat Pasta, Cous-Cous, Brown Rice, White Rice, Wild Rice, Quinoa, etc.
- Canned foods- Tomatoes, Pizza Sauce, vegetables and fruit, olives, mushrooms, tomato paste, etc.
- Vinegar- White, Apple Cider, Wine Vinegar, Rice Wine Vinegar, lemon juice, Lime Juice, etc.
- Whole-grain Cereal/Instant-Oatmeal (sugar-reduced), Steel cut oats, Large Flake Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, etc.
- Raisins and Nuts- Cashew, Peanuts, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Hemp hearts, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Fruits, etc.
- Beans (all kinds- Dry is cheaper) Chickpeas, Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Tahini Paste *You can make an awesome hummus very easy
- Herbs and Spices *Buy all your favorites to flavor your meals *including sugars, garlic, chicken broth, parsley, bay leaf.
Grocery List (Frozen)
- Frozen Fruits
- Frozen Vegetables
- Wraps/Pita/Tortillas/Bread/English muffins/Flat Bread
- Hotdogs or Veggie Dogs
- Sausages or Vegetarian option
- Minced Beef/Pork/Lamb/Chicken/Turkey or Vegetarian Mince
- Frozen egg cartons (these are great because you can defrost them and use them as needed)
- Other cuts of meat- Pork Chops, Chicken Breast, Turkey Breast, Ribs, Chicken Wings
- You can freeze fresh ginger
Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for increased prices, reduced prices, and in-store specials. These will help stretch your grocery budget so that you can spend a bit more on the essential products that you need. (Valium)
The long-lasting student food essentials you should have in your kitchen
These foods are essential for every student. A kitchen that lacks any of the following might have to manage the alternate spelling, ‘Kitch’ till these food essentials are gotten. Here are our top picks:
Cooking oil
You’ll need cooking oil for frying, baking, and roasting. It is useful in any type of cooking. Look for either olive, sunflower, or vegetable oil
Butter – Butter is a must-have for any sandwich. It can be used with any other types of bread and can also be used to fry meat and vegetables
Salt and pepper – Every chef needs salt and pepper in their kitchen. Using these seasonings can really improve the taste of your meal – just don’t use too much
Sugar – Sugar can be added to anything – it’s useful in sauces, essential in baking, and also goes well with a hot cup of tea or coffee
Soy sauce – Soy sauce provides that salty bit of flavor for any dish, but works the best in Asian cuisine
Spices – Different spices enhance the flavors of any meal. They can completely change the taste of a dish. You can use them while cooking or in a marinade for meat or tofu. We recommend purchasing mixed herbs, paprika, cumin, and coriander to start with
Tea and coffee – Tea and coffee are essential for every student. A cup of tea or coffee in the morning can prepare you for the day ahead.
Tomato puree/chopped tomatoes – Tins of chopped tomatoes and a tube of tomato puree is the basis of a lot of meals from a variety of cultures
Garlic and onions – These form the basis of any main meal and provide a real depth to your flavors
Stock cubes – For any soup, stew, chili, curry, or pasta dish, a stock cube is important. Just dissolve the cube in boiling water and then add to whatever meal requires it in the recipe
Most of these items will last for a long time, so you might only have to buy them once every month.
Do I Need Snacks On My College Grocery List?
Of course, yes. Snacks belong to the group of quick bites that ought to make your college grocery list. Check out these snacks:
- Crackers
- Popcorn
- Rice cakes
- Baked chips
- Apple/banana chips
- Seeds/nuts
- Fig cookies
- Granola bars
- Dark chocolate
How Can I Save Money While Grocery Shopping In College?
While it might seem overwhelming to feed and shop for yourself, you need to save money as a student while shopping. Check out these tips to help you save money:
1. Check Student Friendly Stores
The easiest way to save money while shopping is by shopping at local markets that offer student discounts. Usually, stores close to campus know they’ll get more customers if they offer a 5%–10% discount for those with university ID cards.
Buying your weekly groceries from these shops at a discounted price is perfect for sticking to your budget.
SEE ALSO: Easy Procedures to get Netflix Student Discounts Fast | Updated
2. Plan Your Meals (and Stick to That Plan)
One of the most important things you should do before grocery shopping is to plan out your meals for the week. A meal plan will help you stay on track and hopefully under budget when shopping because you’ll know exactly what you need.
3. Eat Before You Shop
Studies indicate that being hungry while looking at food only leads to greater perceived hunger which could lead to more impulsive thoughts about food which often transcends to impulsive buying.
To save the situation, ensure you eat before heading to a grocery store. That way, you can avoid spending more on things that excite your hungry stomach.
4. Use Technology
These days, there’s an app for everything. Grocery shopping is no different. As a college student, you can easily download several apps that help you keep track of your pantry’s inventory, budget effectively, or eat healthier.
There are quite a few different apps out there, so give several a try to find out which ones make your shopping experience easier. You can check out the following apps.
SEE ALSO: What to Look for in a College in 2022 | Full Ultimate Checklist
5. Freeze Anything and Everything
You can freeze the fresh foods like vegetables, tomatoes, meat, sauce and even yoghurt. By freezing them, you keep them fresh and alive.
Conclusion
Having a well-planned grocery list gets you in and out of the store quickly and helps you stick to your healthy eating plan. Do well to make the best out of this article.
References
- Listonic.com – College Grocery List for 10 Quick and Cheap Meal Ideas
- Justplaincooking.ca – Why Grocery Planning Is Your First Step To Saving Money
- Collegexpress.com – Your Guide to Grocery Shopping in College
- Collegelifemadeeasy.com – Basic College Grocery List: The Must-Haves on a Budget! (+ Free Printables)
- healthline.com – How to Make a Healthy Grocery Shopping List
