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5 ways to help your teen eat well at uni

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By Philippa Dobree-Carey, From High School to Uni 

One of the biggest challenges young adults experience when they move to university or live independently is having to feed themselves. Without the knowledge, skills or experience, they are likely to resort to takeaways and ready meals, which are expensive and nutritionally unbalanced. 
 
Why meal-planning matters
Nutritious meals fuel focus, energy and wellbeing. Students who plan their meals save money, waste less food, and stay healthier - both physically and mentally.
 
A poor diet leads to anxiety, fatigue, weight gain and difficulty concentrating. However, simple home-cooked meals can help to combat this. With a few core ingredients and a weekly plan, students can eat better, feel better and spend less.
 
How to set them up for success
 
1. Help them build a starter cupboard
Before they move out, show them the affordable, versatile and non-perishable kitchen cupboard staples that can be turned into real meals. These include:
  • Carbs: rice, pasta, quinoa, couscous
  • Proteins: eggs, tinned beans, lentils and tuna
  • Mixed veg: frozen spinach, broccoli and peas, tinned tomatoes
  • Condiments: salt, pepper, soy sauce, mixed herbs, stock cubes
  • Extras: cooking oil, flour, peanut butter
2. Teach them how to prepare a simple weekly meal plan
One of the great things about university is that there’s always another student who knows how to cook and is willing to share their skills. However, it’s advisable to start at home by learning a basic repertoire of five nutritious dishes. Then, show them how to batch cook a few dishes that can be frozen and reheated throughout the week.
 
A weekly plan is a great time-saver, especially if they’re working late or don’t feel like cooking one night:
  • Breakfast: Overnight oats (oats + milk + frozen fruit + chia seeds)
  • Lunch: Pasta bake or soup
  • Dinner: Stir-fry, lasagne, or curry with rice
3. Show them how to shop on a budget
Take your teenager food shopping before they leave home. Make it a challenge: “Can you feed yourself for £25 a week?”
 
Teach them these tips:
  • Plan the weekly meals first before going food shopping.
  • Buy own-brand products or in bulk where possible (but not too much as storage space will be limited).
  • Use apps like Too Good To Go and Olio.

Easy Meals for Uni Students

4. Explain why it matters
Eating well affects more than just your budget; it impacts your wellbeing too.
  • Food affects mood! Better food means better emotional resilience.
  • Balanced meals support better sleep, lower stress levels, and improved focus.
  • Home-cooked meals are cheaper and healthier than takeaways.
5. Mental health starts with what’s on the plate
Healthy eating is a superpower, especially during exam season.
 
Make sure their diet includes whole grains, oily fish, eggs, seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetables, as these are all important sources of energy and mood-lifting vitamins, as well as brain-boosting omega-3s.
 
Before they leave home, cook a few meals together. Help them write a weekly plan and shopping list. Show them how to freeze leftovers. These habits might not stick straight away—but they will eventually.
 
Photo credit: © 2025 Philippa Dobree-Carey
 

Author bio

Philippa Dobree CareyPhilippa Dobree-Carey is an adept project manager for an international organization in Geneva. Author of the award-winning student guide "From High School to Uni", Philippa successfully steers students step-by-step through the process of packing, preparing for and thriving in the university environment.

With a passion for helping others, Philippa's insightful blogs provide a wealth of practical advice, guiding students (and anxious parents!) with firsthand experience, tips, and insights. As a devoted mother of two university aged children, she understands the concerns of those navigating this transition. This firsthand perspective has driven her to create a library of well-defined, pragmatic resources aimed at facilitating the transition to university life. Discover a treasure trove of invaluable resources by visiting her website www.fromhighschooltouni.com

Philippa photo credit: Timeless Portrait Photography - Amber Roberts Images