How do I eat healthy on strict budget and limited time?

[rlkellum02]

I'm currently a junior in college, and eating healthy and finding time to cook between my two jobs and 19 hours of school is nothing short of a miracle. I've tried keeping healthy snacks handy, but after a long day of working in an 8th grade classroom, I want nothing more than to grab a pizza with my roommates and destress about school. Even if I had the time to cook after my other obligations in the evening, I'm often too tired to do so. Any tips or pointers? Does anyone else struggle like this?

[poisonalchemist]

Lentils. Lentils are magic. You can substitute them virtually anywhere for ground beef at half the price and ten times the shelf life. Lentil-loaf. Lentil-balls. Lentil-tacoes (because taco seasoning makes everything taste like taco meat). Add protien to a nice rissotto by mixing lentils with the rice before cooking. If you're really nackered throw some S&B curry in with cooking lentils and just eat it on rice. Green lentils cook up in 30 minutes or so, but red lentils cook in 15 or so and when overcooked can get a much less defined lentil-texture if it's wierding you out in your lentil-loaf. If this is all feeling a little too vegetarian for you halvsies on the meat/lentils is always an option; lentils will never judge you. 

[Only1azz]

Whole grains like steel cut oats, quinoa, millet, are easy to cook in large batches, filling and go a long way, fresh spinach, kale, cabbage, daikon radish, sweet potato, great in soups, inexpensive n fresh greens can be used on the go for smoothies with apple n banana... Last a healthy meal replacement protein shake saves time and get needed nutrients, message me I'll send you free shake samples, have a great day

[afoolproofplan]

Cook in large batches and freeze when you have time. Egg recipes like crustless quiche and such and awesome and freeze well. I like eggs as cheap protein, but beans are also really good, but require a bit more time. Invest in a slow cooker, most recipes are dump in and cook 8hrs so you can come home to something healthy. Make soup in your slow cooker then freeze the other 9 servings for luches dinners through the week.