Healthy on a budget

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By Bri Willis

Looking to stay healthy while on a budget? Look no further – you’re in the right place!

There’s a common misconception that eating healthier and striving to be healthier is more expensive than not doing so. I’m here today to show you that this isn’t true, especially on campus.

Staying active without spending extra

Let’s start with exercise. If you live on campus, you’re in luck – we have a free gym membership all year round. And if you happen to be a bit shy like me, there are ways around that.

The gym runs Women and Non-binary only sessions at:

  • Tuesday: 10am–12pm

  • Thursday: 5pm–7pm

I use these sessions because they tend to be less crowded and fit my schedule. If you want a more personal experience, I’d definitely recommend trying classes like Body Pump or Pilates. As someone who had never lifted weights before, Body Pump was… an experience – so be prepared for that! But the small group sizes made it great for me, and I’m not amazing at coming up with workouts myself, so having an instructor was a big plus.

My number one tip for these sessions? Go at your own pace. No one’s going to look at you sideways if you stop mid-workout – they’re probably working up the courage to do the same.

And it’s okay to go alone. I thought it would be really intimidating, but honestly, once you’re in the session, you don’t have time to think about that, and neither does anyone else. So take that step of confidence.

If running is more your thing, you can join the running club I hear outside my house at 7am like clockwork! They also run evening sessions if, like me, you’re not a morning person. And if none of that appeals, buy a yoga mat and try some at-home workouts. It’s a one-time purchase and exercises are easy to find online. Even a daily walk around campus is a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Eating well on a budget

Now onto food! Here are some of the things I do to stay healthy without spending loads.

1. Use too good to go

I can’t stress this enough. So many times my housemates have come home with a week’s worth of groceries for as little as £5. Aldi is a partner and offers bags of fruit and veg for around £3.59 – you really don’t need to spend a fortune to get your five a day.

2. Batch cook (and freeze!)

I’m still trying to master it myself, but most of the time when food goes to waste for me, it’s because it’s expired. Don’t be afraid to freeze things – that’s the first step to saving money.

3. Do your research

A lot of people jump into “healthy eating” without knowing much about it and end up spending loads on foods like steak or salmon, which aren’t essential and can be expensive. It’s also important to research what nutrients you personally need, everyone’s goals are different. And don’t be afraid to try supermarket own brands; nine times out of ten, you can’t tell the difference.

4. Compare prices

Check supermarket websites to compare prices and stick to the cheapest option. I once realised I was paying 40p more in one shop than another for the exact same product.

Honourable mention: Shopping lists

So many times I’ve gone into a shop with no plan and spent way more than I needed to. This ties in with researching your goals before diving in headfirst.

A quick, budget-friendly dinner recipe

Here’s a recipe I made recently:

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts

  • Tortillas (wholewheat, corn or protein – whatever suits your goals)

  • Black beans

  • Bell peppers (optional)

  • Cheese (lower-fat versions work too)

  • Tomato sauce

  • Avocado (optional)

  • Cilantro (optional!)

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to around 190–200°C.

  2. Cook the chicken, then add everything into one pan (tomato sauce, peppers, beans, etc.).

  3. Spoon the mixture into the wraps and roll them up.

  4. Place the enchiladas into a baking dish and spread extra tomato sauce over the top.

  5. Grate cheese on top and put them in the oven.

  6. Bake for 20–30 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn.

I made around seven enchiladas and they lasted me 2–3 days – perfect for meal prep! I usually avoid meal prepping because it can be time-consuming, but this was honestly so quick it changed my mind. Plus, it gave me an excuse to use the pink Le Creuset dish I haggled for, so totally worth it.

Swap out any ingredients to suit your goals – this is just a loose guide. It’s a really easy meal, and that’s coming from me, a complete novice in the kitchen.

Final thoughts: Small steps add up

I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me.

Remember, being healthy doesn’t have to be a huge lifestyle overhaul. It can start with something small, like cutting down on processed foods, walking a little more each day, or drinking enough water.

You don’t have to jump straight into calorie deficits either. Big changes are harder to stick to, so start small. You’ll be surprised how the little things can lead to the biggest results.