Chris Spencer spends anywhere from $20 to $30 for his lunch during the four days he’s on campus each week. He knows campus food is expensive and unhealthy, but he also knows it’s easier to buy food here than to get up early and make his own lunch.

“I’d rather just buy food that’s already cooked than have to make my own and not worry about spoiling it before I have my lunch,”

Spencer said as he waited for his chicken fajita with guacamole from Gordito Burrito.

“I know it’s not the healthiest food,” he said. “This is just more convenient.”

Many students face the dilemma of trying to eat healthy with little or no budget. Should they buy the cheap, greasy hamburger or the green salad that cost the same and isn’t as filling?

With easy access to buy fast food on and off campus, it’s hard for many students to break the habit of eating it on a regular basis. Why not? It’s a surefire cheap and convenient meal.

But eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to spend more money.”There is a misconception that healthy food is expensive,” said nutrionist and professor Dianne Hyson of the Family and Consumer Sciences department. “As cliche as this sounds, follow the basic food pyramid chart to eat healthy.”

The lack of discipline for many students in buying food from grocery stores keeps them returning to fast food places at Sac State, day after day. Worrying begins when their pants fit tighter and they realize they have to buy more clothes.

But students can save money and eat healthy by applying simple rules to their everyday life. Nutritionists, like Dr. Hyson, have some tips students can use to save money and still eat healthy meals.Buying big name products doesn’t always mean they’re any better. Sometimes manufacturers package the same generic or store brands under different labels.

For example, a box of Fruit Loops cereal can cost $4.59 while a bag Fruity Tangy Oh’s only costs $3.49–a savings of $1.10.When purchasing meats, buy a lean cut-they are cheaper. Purchasing utility grade poultry, even though it might be missing a leg, is still OK. And when preparing the food, try not to fry them because the meats absorb much of the fat. Stocking up on canned foods is also a good idea, especially when the $500 rent is right around the corner. Canned foods cost around $1.25 and count as a snack or meal.

If eating on campus is the only option, order plain burgers–excluding the mayo, bacon and cheese. Not only does it reduce calorie intake, but it can also save some pocket change. Try ordering charbroiled or grilled items rather than fried.Instead of ordering the pepperoni pizza, order a veggie or pineapple pizza, which have less fat.

Some students have their own ways of trying to save the cash and eat healthy meals.

When you visit your parents, stock up as much as you can,” said Ryan Miller, an English major. “You know your mom gets the healthy stuff.”

Carol Turner, a psychology major, said, “Go to someone else’s house and eat or chip in for food.”

“The best way to eat healthy and save money is to bring your own food,” said Joe Ramos, a communications major. “It’s probably healthier than the fast food here.”

When snacking during study time, skip candy bars, ice cream, fries and potato chips.

Choose lower-fat snacks such as pretzels, bagels and sherbet. “A good tip is to pop juice in the freezer,” said Dr. Hyson. “The juice stays cold throughout the day and saves you from buying a soda.”Also, she says to buy bottled water from stores. A 24-pack of 16.9 oz. bottles of Aquafina water costs $7.99, while one 20 oz. bottle of Aquafina is $1.25 in Sac State’s vending machines.

If you have a craving for junk food and you absolutely need to fulfill that craving, purchase small packs of cookies and chips from the grocery store. Vending machines on campus will only empty your wallet weight.

A Pack2Go with 12 small packs of cookies costs $5.59. Cookies in a vending machine cost 90 cents each.

A snack- size eight pack of Doritos costs $2.99 and from a vending machine a single bag of chips costs 90 cents.

And above all else, start your day with a healthy breakfast. Skip the Pop Tarts and bacon, and instead try plain bagels with fat free cream cheese or a bowl of grain cereal with non-fat milk.

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