Dinner Options for the Busy Graduate Student - Graduate & Professional School (2024)

When you are in graduate school, your time is likely strapped with other responsibilities such as teaching, research and involvements. So by the time you get home, you open the fridge and find nothing that appeases you. In an optimal world, I would encourage you to go to the grocery store and prepare your meals for the week- many times that is not the case of what reality is. Myself, among many graduate students, face difficulties when it comes to having meals ready and/or a stocked fridge in order to cook. When I am working 9-13 hours in a day, I do not feel like “thinking” of a meal to cook much less actually cooking food for dinner.

So what are your options? Recently, there have been some excellent new delivery services that bring all the ingredients right to your front door step. The best part about this, you don’t have to go to the grocery store or think of what you’re going to have for dinner- it is already all there for you. These delivery systems are excellent for you to have nutritious meals composed of protein, vegetable and grain- yay! So what are some of those choices, you’ve likely heard of Blue Apron or Hello Fresh because they do a lot of marketing. However, there are many other companies that offer similar services.

The following information is taken from another article (with reference at the bottom):

HelloFresh

Meal breakdown:HelloFresh offers classic boxes, which include meat and fish recipes; veggie boxes, which are vegetarian with plant-based proteins; and family boxes, which are meant to be more healthful takes on kid-friendly favorites. HelloFresh has partnered with Jamie Oliver, and one of his recipes is highlighted each week. The meal kits don't cater to specific dietary needs, but in keeping with FDA regulations, the company does disclose all allergens on nutrition labels.

What it costs:Starts at $69 for a classic box (three meals for two people), $59 for a veggie box (three meals for two people), $105 for a family box (three meals for four people).
For more information, visitwww.hellofresh.com.

Blue Apron

Meal breakdown:Blue Apron is a subscription-based model that offers vegetarian, pescetarian, and omnivore plans each week. Customers can choose from six new meals with the two-person menu or four new meals from the family menu, and can skip deliveries at any time with at least one week's notice.

What it costs:A two-person plan includes three meals per person per week: $9.99/meal or $59.94/box. The four-person family plan includes either two or four meals per person per week, at $8.74/meal, or $69.92/box for two meals.
For more information, visitwww.blueapron.com.


Plated

Meal breakdown: Plated focuses on seasonality, quality, and sustainability of all included ingredients, aiming for balance across offerings from high-protein seafood dishes to fiber-filled farro bowls and meatless options for vegetarians.

What it costs:Plans start at $48 for two dinners per week plus shipping and $72 for three dinners per week (free shipping for orders of three or four dinners per week).
For more information, visitwww.plated.com.
Dinner Options for the Busy Graduate Student - Graduate & Professional School (1)

Terra's Kitchen
Terra's Kitchen offers subscriptions for a variety of meal types, including vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and low calorie, and no recipe requires more than 30 minutes of cooking.

Meal breakdown:Customers can choose from more than 40 meals on the website (new selections are added twice per month), such as pecan-crusted tilapia with lemony fennel-arugula salad and turkey spinach meatballs in skinny.

What it costs:Choose from three plans (three dinners for two people, four dinners for two people, or two dinners for four people), at a $64.99 minimum delivery with free shipping and handling.
For more information, visitwww.terraskitchen.com.

Martha & Marley Spoon

Meal breakdown:Customers can choose from two subscription plans: a two-person plan and a family plan, which feeds two adults and two children and offers more kid-friendly foods. Every week, customers receive an e-mail with five to seven new recipes (at least three are vegetarian), from which they can choose, or they can skip the week. All meals are designed to be prepped and cooked within 40 minutes, and recipe cards include smart cooking techniques and other tips.

What it costs:Meals range from $8.70 to $12 per portion, with the most popular plan (three meals for two people) totaling $61.50.
For more information, visitwww.marleyspoon.com.

PeachDish

Meal breakdown:From the website, customers choose from at least eight weekly menu options—one-half of these are swapped out seasonally, while the other half are refreshed weekly. Serving a crowd? Individuals can order up to 12 servings per dish (no fewer than two). PeachDish aims to ensure three vegetarian options are available, and gluten-free dishes are specifically labeled.

What it costs:Boxes start around $12.50 per person per meal, depending on the number of meals ordered.

Chef'd

Meal breakdown:Because Chef'd offers à la carte meals, customers can use the website to filter through the 300-plus available meals for their particular dietary restrictions (such as gluten-free or vegan), preference (such as low carb or family friendly), preferred skill level, and even cook time.

What it costs:Two-serving à la carte meals range from $15 to $46; four-serving à la carte meals range from $25 to $79. In general, Ransford says per-serving meals range from $6.50 to $23.
For more information, visitwww.chefd.com.

Green Chef

Meal breakdown:Plans for various dietary preferences and restrictions include vegetarian, omnivore (two meat or seafood with one veggie dish), carnivore (three meat or seafood dishes), gluten-free, paleo, and vegan. The company aims for well-balanced meals with loads of organic vegetables and other wholesome ingredients. In fact, all ingredients are USDA-certified organic and GMO-free whenever possible. One example of what this looks like: a fall harvest bowl with kale, walnuts, barley, roasted veggies, and fresh pear. On its vibrantly colored recipe card, customers will see that the meal contains 560 kcal. For the remaining nutrition information, they'll have to visit the website, where a full nutrition label reads 21 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 21 g fiber, 18 g protein, and 290 mg sodium.

What it costs:Two-person plans with three dinners range from $10.49 per serving for the vegetarian option to $14.99 per serving for the paleo selection. Family plans (two dinners with four servings each) are priced at $11.99 and $12.99 per person (for omnivore and carnivore plans, respectively).
For more information, visithttps://greenchef.com/home.
Reference for all nutrition delivery service information: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0117p24.shtml

Thanks and Gig’em,

Kristen Hicks MS, RD, LD, PhD Candidate | Nutrition and Food Science

Kristen Hicksis a PhD Candidate and Registered Dietitian in BCS who aspires to improve the health of all Americans.

Dinner Options for the Busy Graduate Student - Graduate & Professional School (2024)

FAQs

Dinner Options for the Busy Graduate Student - Graduate & Professional School? ›

Prioritizing regular meals and snacks that include a combination of carbohydrate, protein, adding fruits and vegetables to a degree that is satisfying and comfortable, is a great way to achieve balance for busy grad students.

What do grad students eat? ›

Prioritizing regular meals and snacks that include a combination of carbohydrate, protein, adding fruits and vegetables to a degree that is satisfying and comfortable, is a great way to achieve balance for busy grad students.

What do grad students do for fun? ›

Beneficial ways to spend your downtime as a graduate student include reading a book, visiting family and friends, finding a new hobby, treating yourself, or going on a self-discovery trip.

How can a full time graduate student make money? ›

5 Best Side Hustles For Graduate Students
  1. 1 – Tutoring. One of the most popular side hustles for grad students is tutoring, and it's probably a side hustle you've considered or heard about before. ...
  2. 2 – Babysitting. ...
  3. 3 – Virtual Assistant. ...
  4. 4 – Freelancing. ...
  5. 5 – House and/or Pet Sitting.

What does every grad student need? ›

Best Grad School Essentials
  • Laptop. For grad school, you will need a laptop so you can do work on the go, take notes in class, and have access to email when you need it. ...
  • Planner. ...
  • To-Go Bottle for Water. ...
  • Pens and Highlighters. ...
  • Cloud Storage System. ...
  • Lunch and Snacks. ...
  • To-Go Food Storage. ...
  • Bag.
Nov 30, 2020

How do you stand out for grad school? ›

Make your application stand out with these 7 tips
  1. Research and target the right program. ...
  2. Choose references who know you best. ...
  3. Craft a compelling, honest personal statement. ...
  4. Make your academic writing shine. ...
  5. Make a personal connection. ...
  6. Prepare for and ace the interview. ...
  7. Lean into admission for assistance.

How can I be happy in grad school? ›

Acing Academic & Other Demands
  1. Know how you work. ...
  2. Read smarter, not harder. ...
  3. Focus less on grades and more on learning. ...
  4. Pick opportunities wisely. ...
  5. Consult others. ...
  6. Manage your time well. ...
  7. Don't see grad school as the end of the road. ...
  8. Keep a file of everything that interests you.

What to do with grad school burnout? ›

Burnout Tips
  1. Sleep. It sounds like a no-brainer, and many of us are probably tired of hearing it, but making sure we are well-rested is absolutely critical in disrupting the burnout cycle. ...
  2. Connect with your peers. ...
  3. Connect with your advisor. ...
  4. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. ...
  5. Consider your options.

What is the highest graduate student salary? ›

Which Universities Offer The Highest Phd Stipend In USA?
  • Stanford: At Stanford University, PhD students are at the top, with a whopping $45,850 stipend, the highest PhD stipend, making it a dream for many. ...
  • Princeton: Princeton University isn't far behind, offering its graduate students between $47,880 to $50,400.
Jan 30, 2024

How do people go to grad school and work full time? ›

Consider Online Learning

Online courses allow you to pick study times that fit around your job, and the courses are often asynchronous, allowing even more flexibility. No need to commute or rush to class; just log in from home or wherever you're comfortable.

How to afford grad school while working? ›

  1. Get Traditional Financial Aid. The first thing you'll want to do as you figure out how to afford grad school is see how much financial aid you can get. ...
  2. Work on Campus. ...
  3. Take an Integrated 4+1 Program. ...
  4. Have Your Employer Pay for It. ...
  5. Earn Your Degree Online.

What kind of food do you eat on graduation? ›

Your kids will love the classic party food ideas, like pepperoni pizza rolls, pigs in a blanket, cheeseburger sliders, and buffalo chicken dip. We've also made sure to include plenty of graduation desserts, like an over-the-top ice cream cake and cute brownie bites that look like mini graduation caps.

How much does the average grad student spend on food? ›

According to a survey conducted by the College Board, college students spend an average of $150 to $300 a month on groceries. However, it's important to note that the amount spent can vary depending on several factors, including the student's location. or dietary preferences.

Do grad students drink a lot? ›

Whereas some prefer healthy activities like hiking, swimming, lifting weights, or running, research shows that about 80% of graduate students consume alcohol, often as a way to decompress. Social drinking can be a fun activity for many grad students, but if not regulated, it can easily spiral into alcohol addiction.

How do you stay healthy in grad school? ›

10 best practices for graduate student wellbeing
  1. Create a sleep routine for 7-9 hours at the same time every night. ...
  2. Get out of your study/writing/lab space every day and sit or walk outside for 15 minutes. ...
  3. Choose an exercise routine that matches your needs. ...
  4. Learn a good breathing technique for calming your body.

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