Luckily, eating greener doesn’t have to cost any more than your usual shop, and in fact, when eating smarter for the planet, you may find you end up saving money. Which means more cash for the student union (we won’t tell your parents if you don’t). 

Here are some of our top tips for eating more sustainably for the planet as a student.

Meal prep like a pro

Ok, so in terms of fun things to do at uni, this probably wouldn’t make the top 100. But meal prepping can not only save you money, it’s way better for the planet as you’ll reduce waste as you’ll be planning what you’ll be eating, and exactly what you need to buy. You’ll also be less likely to reach for the takeaway apps if you know you’ve got meals already prepped in the freezer. Want a week off meal prepping? Treat yourself to an allplants = delicious chef-made meals delivered when you need them most. Make the deal even sweeter with a student discount – use PLANTEDSTUDENTS10 at the checkout for £10 off your first order. 

Be prepared with a packed lunch

Ok, so this might not make you feel like the coolest person on campus, but there’s nothing cool about loads of single-use plastic, either. Invest in some good quality vegan food wraps to keep your food lasting longer (and looking great) and other reusable items such as sustainable reusable cutlery to help you cut down on waste even further. 

Eat in season

Eating seasonally not only is better for the planet, but it’s also a surefire way to make sure you’re eating the best quality stuff out there. There’s a comprehensive guide here to eating seasonally throughout the year, with a nod to eating locally which is another great way to eat greener, too. 

Eat your greens

Following a plant-based diet is the biggest way to reduce your carbon footprint, even if you don’t follow a completely vegan diet 100% of the time. In fact, eating just three plant-based meals a week for a year saves 600kg of CO2 – the equivalent of driving from London to Egypt (5,000 km)! Also, switching to plant-based sources of protein is a cheaper way to get your nutrition, and keeps you fuller for longer. Lowly Foods created a great guide to eating greener for the planet by following a plant-based diet here, which includes a price comparison of plant-based proteins vs. meat. 

Do you have any tips to add? Please share away in the comments.