Calling all college students! Balancing classes, organizations, sports, social events, and general life can make it tough to find the time and energy to cook healthy meals. While premade meals are convenient, they can be expensive and wrapped in plastic, making them harsh on both your wallet and the environment. So what’s a busy student to do? Welcome to Durbl Meal Prep 101!
This guide shares our favorite easy, nourishing, and quick meal prep ideas for students. With some organization and a Durbl bag or two, you'll quickly create healthy, budget-friendly meals.
Prep Smoothies for Healthy Breakfasts
Smoothie Prep Packs
For a quick breakfast or snack, try these make-ahead smoothie packs. Smoothies are great for college students because they can be made with budget-friendly, easily accessible ingredients. Affordable year-round fruits and veggies include bananas, pineapples, oranges, cucumbers, frozen berries, kale, and spinach. (Pro tip: use a service like Imperfect Foods for even more savings!)
Portion out your smoothie ingredients for a week in individual Durbl Sandwich Bags. If you plan to make different smoothies, use a chalk marker to label your Durbl bags with the day of the week or smoothie flavor. Store them in the freezer, and when you’re ready, just blend with juice, milk substitute, or water.
Need some smoothie inspiration? Try these combos:
● Classic Beef Burrito
● Chicken and Rice Burrito
● Vegetarian Bean Burrito
● BBQ Pulled Pork Burrito
Let the Slow Cooker Do the Work
Slow Cooker Meals
Despite their name, slow cookers save a lot of time for busy students. While you’re hitting the books or in the lab, your meal can cook away on its own – there’s nothing better than coming home to a ready-to-eat meal. Slow cookers also make meat tender and flavorful, even with cheaper cuts, turning them into delicious budget-friendly meals that can last all week.
Chop up your ingredients the night before and store them in the fridge in a Durbl half gallon or quart bag, or prep weeks in advance and freeze them in a Stand-Up Mega Bag. Batch cook your slow cooker meals and portion them into 4-Cup Bowls to freeze, so you can easily microwave a hot meal when you need it.
Here are some slow cooker recipe ideas:
● Beef Stew
● Coconut Chicken Curry
● Vegetable Soup
● Minestrone Soup
No-Cook Granola Bars
Granola Bars
If your dorm only has a microwave or you’re too busy to bake, no-cook granola bars are a simple and filling snack or breakfast. Combine your preferred sweet syrup (maple, agave, or golden) with rolled oats, spices, and nuts. Press into an oiled or parchment-lined pan, refrigerate overnight, then slice into bars in the morning. Store them in a Quart bag in the fridge or freezer for a quick, tasty snack.
Overnight Oats in a Durbl container
Overnight Oats Bowls
Overnight oats are a college student’s best friend because they require minimal effort and can be made for the whole week. While jars are popular, Durbl containers are lighter, easier to transport, and don’t risk breaking in your backpack.
Combine oats, seeds, spices, maple syrup, and plant milk in a Durbl container 600ml. Seal, shake, and let it thicken overnight in the fridge. In the morning, grab your Durbl container and a spoon for a quick, healthy breakfast.
Here are some overnight oat combos to try:
● Classic Overnight Oats
● Berry Overnight Oats
● Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
● Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
As a college student, your schedule is packed with school, social activities, family, and friends. But with a little meal prep magic (and Durbl bags and bowls), it’s possible to enjoy healthy, budget-friendly home-cooked meals. Happy cooking!
