FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Take note of these tips for a healthy, affordable, tasty school year
Eating well is an important part of staying energized and healthy while away at school. And with the right tools, it's much easier to make healthy food choices and plan meals far from Mom's kitchen. From the morning's first cup of java to packed lunches and late-night study snacks, I've got tips for affordable ways to eat right every day and enjoy tasty food throughout the school year, all while being kind to Mother Nature.
YOUR MORNING BREW
Coffee, tea and other warm beverages are a necessity to wake up, warm up and get a busy student through long nights of studying. A machine that brews coffee and other hot drinks without taking up too much space or creating a ton of waste checks a lot of boxes for today's students. Keurig 's K-Express Essentials impresses with its small footprint but mighty power. At the touch of a button, you can whip up any hot beverage from the Keurig lineup, which includes Tim Hortons coffee, Laura Secord hot chocolate and Tetley tea, to name a few. Plus, many of the pods are easily recyclable. Did I mention the price? The K-Express Essentials costs less than $60, which is quite reasonable on a tight budget.
PACKING A LUNCH
Planning and prepping on-thego snacks and lunches is a fantastic way to make healthy food choices and avoid overpriced (and often unhealthy) prepared options. An insulated bag will keep sandwiches, fruits and veggies fresh, and it collapses when empty to make for easy carrying the rest of the day. General Supply Goods + Co.'s environmentally friendly Insulated Kraft Lunch Bag (exclusive to Staples in Canada) is made of waxed kraft paper reminiscent of old-school lunch bags — but instead of being thrown out, it can be used over and over again. When the snacks are gone, just flatten and tuck it away into your knapsack until next time.
EVENING STUDY SNACKS
Quickly heating up frozen meals, making toast or treating yourself to an evening snack (can you say crispy shoestring fries?) requires access to an oven. A toaster oven takes less time and energy to heat up compared to a conventional oven, meaning you can cut back on waste without sacrificing taste. They now also come with a timer and interior lights, as well as convection and air fryer options, just like larger kitchen ranges. The Sure-Crisp Air Fryer Toaster Oven by Hamilton Beach can toast up to four slices of bread, not to mention bake, broil and air fry your favourite meals and snacks. Its sleek, stainless-steel exterior will give your kitchenette a pro-chef look at a student-friendly price of $80. That's a little cash for a lot of power — 1,500 watts — plus, it conveniently plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet.
LEARNING TO FEND FOR YOURSELF
Here are a few hints for how to set up your first kitchenette.
■ Look for space-saving small appliances that do more than one duty. In addition to a toaster oven with an air fryer, you might want to consider an under-counter fridge with a freezer or an Instant Pot that also cooks rice.
■ Keep all your kitchen supplies in sight on open shelves to ensure you use what you have, rather than let pantry food build up and go to waste out of sight in cupboards.
■ Always check with your landlord whether appliances are allowed if you rent a bedroom or studio apartment.