As a college student, you will often find yourself wondering what to eat for your next meal. Whether you are living in an apartment and are forced to find food for every meal, or you are a freshman enjoying the dining commons, you will eventually need to make food for yourself.

True, you could live off of Subway’s “$5 Foot Long” deal for quite some time, but eventually you will want a change. Eating out gets very expensive, very quickly. And it can also be unhealthy.

Parents always say that you need to eat your fruits and veggies, and, as much as I hate to admit it, they’re right. When my parents dropped me off at school, they also dropped off a healthy supply of noodles, rice, fruit, cereals, and some of Mom’s home cooked meals that could be warmed up in the microwave. Unfortunately, the food eventually ran out. It was then that I was forced to cook and eat for myself.

That said, maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle can be difficult when you are surviving on a college budget. The answer is to shop smart. Some students go to Costco and stock up on Kraft’s Easy Mac. Others learn the value of frozen food.

Having the patience to cook meals is tough, but the end result is worth it. Believe it or not, homemade pasta is noticeably better than Easy Mac. Grilling may seem like a grueling, time-consuming task, but, if you invite the neighbors and start socializing, a barbeque can be a great way to meet people and enjoy a tasty meal.

Costco is a cheap way to purchase a lot of food. Buy all of your snacks and frozen food here, as long as you don’t mind non-organic food. However, the food portions at Costco are notoriously large. As a result, some foods may spoil before you have had the chance to eat them. Make sure to buy foods that have long shelf lives. If you do buy your milk or other perishable foods at Costco, then make a deal with your roommates where you share the food and split the cost.

Keep in mind, however, that shopping at Costco requires a membership. You and your roommates could split the $50 annual fee to shop at Costco, or you could try and convince your parents to leave their card with you. Recently, a new way to shop at Costco has surfaced. Have your parents buy you a Costco gift card. With a Costco gift card, non-members can enter and use the card to buy their groceries.

If you are a picky eater, and Costco just doesn’t do it for you, then head over to the local Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s is often associated with healthier, better, food that is usually more expensive. However, the higher prices are somewhat of a myth.

Not too long ago, a friend told me that shopping at Trader Joe’s was cheaper than shopping at Albertsons (a supermarket chain primarily found on the west coast). After shopping at both places, I realized she was somewhat correct. The prices are not too different between Trader Joe’s and Albertsons, and many items, like eggs, were significantly cheaper at Trader Joe’s.

Some students find their passion in cooking. If you enjoy creating great-tasting meals, offer to cook for your roommates or friends. Have them throw in a few bucks while you create food that rival the meals at the dining commons.

Jordan Marshall, a second-year physics major at the University of California, Santa Barbara, bought a manual juicer and took advantage of the free fruit offered in dining commons. He used a combination of oranges and grapefruits to make unique drinks. While juicing can be messy and take a while, everyone at the table will want a sip of the finished product.

Mac and cheese is good once in a while, especially when you’re in a hurry, but making more sophisticated dishes, like fried rice, tacos, or pork chops, will taste immeasurably better, and may help you discover your passion for cooking.