The Importance of Cooking in College

Going to college is a difficult time in any student's life. It is often the first time a young adult has to fend for themselves, away from the protection of their parents. Without guidance and lifeskills, it is easy for an individual to lapse into unhealthy habits like staying up all night and especially eating terribly. Who hasn't heard of the Freshman 15? This is why it is so incredibly important for college students to learn to cook before they leave the nest.

When we look at health, many issues can be attributed to a lacking somewhere in a person's diet. It's no surprise that a bad habit easily leads to poor vitality in a person. And what is a normal college student's food choices? Ramen, Pop Tarts, pizza, and Hot Pockets, just to name a few terrible choices. How can you remedy this? They're quick, cheap, and take little, if no effort, from the student to obtain. But can it be different?

The answer is yes. There is no reason for college students to settle on terrible foods to eat, other than laziness or a lack of direction. Though it may seem expensive to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and grains, it may actually be cheaper than dealing with the problems that come with eating a steady diet of pizza and beer. In the least, it saves a student from having to buy a new wardrobe from all of the pounds they've packed on.

It also saves the student money from keeping them out of the doctor's office. Especially when living with multiple roommates, or in a crowded dorm, students are exposed to numerous bacteria every day. Come exam time when everyone is stressed and getting sick, their immune systems will likely be too weak from not having adequate nutrition, and they will likely succumb to a nasty cold, just when they need to perform well! But how can you help yourself, or your student, learn to cook?

First, basic tools need to be bought in order to prepare meals. Consider the cookware the students will have access to, and buy a few necessities even if they are living in a dorm. A small pot and pan, a good kitchen knife (if allowed), a cutting board, a can opener, a peeler, a sheet pan, storage containers, and measuring cups and spoons will be a good start to any student's success in making their own food. These also shouldn't take up very much room, so if necessary they can store these items in their dorm to avoid them from being stolen.

Think of recipes you use at home, and try to simplify them. Pasta dishes are often quick and easy, and protein and vegetables can be incorporated to create more healthful meals. Casseroles are easy and can last for days if your student has access to a refrigerator. Salads are also easy to make, and adding chicken or fish can make them whole meals! The possibilities are essentially endless depending in your creativity.

Before going away, students should look through cookbooks and try out recipes at home. There are many cookbooks geared toward college students, catering to the fact there is less time, less money, and less space available to them. Some even use only microwaves to prepare the food. Though this may not be the healthiest way to go about this, it may be the only option, and any effort is better than none!

Even if a student is forced to purchase a meal plan if they live on campus, cooking for oneself is still beneficial. Instead of having to buy the most expensive meal plan, it may be possible to buy a cheaper one that would simply supplement the student who is already cooking for themselves. This could be a safety net for finals week if the student simply has no time to cook, and by eliminating the more pricey plan, both the student and the family are bound to save extra money.

With a basic level of skills, food can be prepared by the student and will benefit them in many ways. First, it will save them money from eating out. Think of a meal from McDonald's, which can cost upwards of $7 ... that's just one meal! If you go to the grocery store and buy a bag of rice, a pack of chicken, and some zucchini, that may end up costing around $7, as well. The difference is that the rice could last you a month, the chicken a week, and even though the zucchini may only last one meal, you've already saved money with the other items.

As a college student, I have gotten in unfortunate cycles of eating fast food. These leave me feeling terrible and I have paid a horrific amount of money to feel this way. But, when I remember all of the things I know how to make myself, I realize how much I actually save making my own foods at home. I like to make enough food to last me at least halfway through the week so I don't have to worry about what to eat between classes, work, and extracurricular activities. So, in that sense, cooking for myself saves me both time and money. Also, when I cook for myself, I make better choices of what I'm eating, and I know this has a direct influence on why my friends who eat fast food and drink soda all day get sick at least five times more than I do! Knowing how to cook has been incredibly valuable for me, and I would recommend any student to learn to, as well.