Being a foodie from India, enjoying a variety in my meals always motivated me, and yet, just like you, I was worried about the time I would spend on cooking/washing up. Fortunately, my fear was not valid. The key to enjoying a variety of healthy meals lies in efficient weekly planning.

Every weekend, I look at my timetable for the following week and note the time that I will be spending in the live sessions. Then, I make a note of my favorite recipes and the ingredients they require. This is followed by a trip to the grocery stores: Global Stores and Lidl. The stores are very close to the university and have various grocery items like frozen parathas, frozen Rotis, and fresh vegetables alongside many other options. In addition to these stores, you can get really good and fresh items online on JustHaat (but for this website, I recommend you order for a minimum of £40 to get the free delivery). Usually, my friend and I used to combine our list for 2 months and order together!

Another option for grocery would be to get in touch with Sukhadyam (+44-7466392504).

Once you have a list of all the groceries you have, you can plan your meals according to your lectures. I have attached an image of a food plan that I followed a few days ago:

As you can see, keep all the time-consuming cooking and washing up in the morning and the light and easy options for the night; this saves a lot of time while ensuring tasty and healthy meals throughout the day. Additionally, if you do not stay in on-campus accommodation, you can explore the bus route options from these shops to your accommodation using: Xplore Dundee. I would highly recommend downloading the app for Xplore Dundee to explore the student ticket options that best suit you. (While taking the bus last minute, ensure to keep the change, and if you live near the west end, ask for a unihop at just £1.50.)

Lastly, remember you are what you eat, and hence you need to take care of your meals to ensure your well-being, especially during a pandemic, when you need a sound immune system. Enjoy various flavors to keep yourself motivated and plan your weekly meals to consume a balanced diet while accommodating for your spontaneous cravings.

You don’t always need to be the best cooks to enjoy a simple meal at the university; go with the necessary ingredients and taste the magic!