Healthy and Budget-Friendly Nigerian Meals for Students

I remember how being in school was like. The seemingly never ending struggle of juggling personal development, school work and other demands that are part and parcel of human life. The reality is, being a student is very demanding. As a Nigerian student, you want to buy hand-outs, extra resources, pay for departmental fees and other hidden fees yet you also want to eat healthy and spend the money available prudently. I understand that there maybe specific challenges that you may be facing in balancing your finances and getting healthy meals which may include:

•  Limited Budget

Students like you often have a tight budget, making it difficult to afford a variety of nutritious foods, but you don’t have to break the bank to actually eat healthy!

• Time Constraints

From waking up as early as 5am to retiring back to the bed late at night, it can be overwhelming and maybe it’s difficult for you to fully balance classes, studying, and extracurricular activities, so much that you have resolved that you don’t have that time for cooking, well, it’s about priority, you need to be healthy to do well at your academics, so it’s time to prioritize a little time for meal preparation.

• Lack of Cooking Skills

In my interactions with students like you, many students have limited cooking experience or knowledge, making it hard to prepare meals from scratch. But hey! Cooking is fun, you can get help from a friend and learn or go on YouTube and use recipes from a chef that resonates with you — your body will only ever thank you for it.

• Small Kitchen Appliances

Maybe you live within the school dorms or in your student small apartments, you may have minimal cooking appliances which could be a factor for restricting meal. However the deal is, you can get what you want with what have by being creative. You may not have a toaster, but a good non stick frying pan will most likely do the work of a toaster! Think outside the box, in many ways cooking is just a series of delicious experiments!

• Nutritional Knowledge

If eating healthy is something you desire, you have to know what meals can give you the best nutrients and see how your budget can fit into that. Oranges are not as costly as a bottle of fizzy drinks, so you see, it’s all about choices. Limited understanding of nutrition can lead to unhealthy eating habits or poor meal choices.

           Health is wealth, and being a student doesn’t exclude you from that reality. You cannot afford to keep breaking down while in school because you’re not eating right. I know, finding healthy meals that don’t break the bank can be a challenge, but don’t worry. Here are some delicious Nigerian meals that are easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and packed with nutrients to keep you going throughout the day.

1. Beans Cake (Akara) with Pap

Akara, or beans cake, is a fantastic source of protein and fiber. Whenever I am preparing for new semesters, I’ll simply blend my beans with a strong blender or take it to those who do blending in open markets with industrial machines. I store it in a airtight container and take in batches, mix with pepper and onions, stir properly and fry until golden brown. You can Pair it with pap (ogi), a fermented maize porridge that’s both comforting and easy to digest. Just mix pap powder with hot water in increments and stir.

2. Jollof Rice with Veggies

Jollof rice is a student favorite and can be made healthier by adding lots of vegetables. Cook your rice with tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers, and mix in carrots and peas. It’s a one-pot meal, so it’s easy to clean up afterward. There’s a belief that it’s expensive to live healthily. The veggies of about Naira1000 will likely do enough and sometimes more serve you well. Better still, they may not be exhausted in one use!

3. Boiled Plantain with Egg Stew

Boiled plantain is filling and affordable. Simply boil plantains until tender and pair them with a rich egg stew. To make the stew, sauté onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers, then add beaten eggs and cook until set. This combination is nutritious and great for any meal of the day.

4. Okro soup with Gaari/Eba

Vegetable soups like Ewedu or Okro are packed with nutrients. And they’re easy to prepare. For Ewedu, blend the leaves and cook with some locust beans and seasoning. If you don’t have a blender, simply use a cooking broom, serve with Eba/Gaari made from cassava. It’s filling and perfect for a hearty meal.

5. White Rice with Vegetables

Rice is a staple meal in most homes and as a student who wants to balance out time, budget and health. You can make a spinach/ugwu vegetable soup with fish.

6. Oats and Beans

Oats are extremely nutritious and filling. It’s a good option for breakfast. It isn’t only very healthy but easy to make. Beans can be cooked once and even eaten some other time with fresh bread or pap or custard. You can get oats in an open markets or a supermarket.

7. Sweet Potato and Bean

Sweet potatoes are nutritious and filling. You can make a hearty stew by cooking sweet potatoes with beans, tomatoes, and spices. It’s a great way to get your carbs and proteins in one dish. Plus, it’s easy to make. It is highly nutritious.

8.Yam Porridge

Yam porridge is a sweet dish that’s easy to prepare. Cook yam pieces with tomatoes, onions, and a bit of pepper. You can also add some crayfish, fish or meat if you like. This meal is both filling and nutritious, and it’s perfect for breakfast or dinner.

9. Spaghetti with Sauce

Spaghetti is a versatile and cheap option. Cook it with a simple tomato sauce made from tomatoes, onions, and garlic. You can add vegetables or some fish if your budget allows. This meal is easy to make and can be enjoyed any time.

10. Bread and Avocado.

Avocado is rich in healthy fats and is a very healthy substitute for some processed food. It’s sweet and great with Bread. Getting Avocado is easy especially in it’s season. As a student, learn to play to the strength of seasonal foods and fruits, like carrot, avocado, pear, cabbage, etc.

Here are Extra Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

1. Buy in Bulk: Purchase staples like beans, rice, and yams in larger quantities to save money.

2. Plan Your Meals: Planning your weekly meals can help you use ingredients efficiently and reduce food waste.

3. Use Seasonal Produce: Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season as they are often cheaper and fresher.

4. Reduce Meat Consumption: Beans, fish and eggs are great protein sources and are usually more affordable than meat.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With these simple and budget-friendly Nigerian meal ideas, you can stay nourished and energized throughout your student life.

Let us know, which one are you trying straight away?