Food is one of the most important things for human survival, wouldn’t we all agree? Well we will also agree that food expenses can be huge sometimes. And, when you are a student in the UK, looking for cheaper options is always the solution, especially when you are on a tight budget. Managing a budget as a student is a challenge itself, between rent of student accommodation in UK, travel, and social life, food can cost a lot sometimes. That is why knowing how to shop smart is a life-changing skill.

In this particular blog, we are going to cover the top student food tips to ensure ease in student living. From housing to the best supermarkets in UK, there is nothing that we will not unfold. So, since you are already at Uninist, you know where to find the right things. Let’s get into our blog for you to save some bucks and live a great student life in UK!

Why Does Food Budgeting Matters? 

Budgeting is a skill every student should know right from the start. Here are some reasons why food budgeting is significant for students:

• The average amount a student in the UK spends on groceries in a month is over £120. And ordering from food delivery apps in UK adds another £50-£100 per month depending on the lifestyle.
• If you apply simple student food tips you can save up to 20-30%. And, saving smartly is a very important attribute for students to have. 
• Using student discounts and food deals is the easiest way to balance good nutrition with affordability. 

Which Are the Best Supermarkets in UK for Students? 

The United Kingdom has many great supermarkets all over the UK. From food to household items, these places help students to shop everything easily at one place. Here is the list of the top supermarkets in UK which are great for students: 

• Aldi 
• Lidl 
• Tesco 
• ASDA
• Sainsbury’s 
• Iceland 
• Co-op 
• Morrisons 

For a better understanding of how these places are good for students, let us give you more details. 

Aldi 

• Aldi is known for budget- friendly fresh produce and has a wide variety of store-based items that are cheaper but good in quality making it a good supermarket option for students. 
• The supermarket has regular weekly food deals which helps students to save more on fruits, vegetables, and snacks. 
• The store is perfect for bulk shopping on a student budget. When you go to buy food items in bulk that usually lasts 1-1.5 weeks. 

Lidl 

• The supermarket Lidl is very affordable for fresh food, it is similar to Aldi but has an excellent value. The supermarket also has weekly promotions on bakery and dairy. 
• The store offers “middle of Lidl” bargains where you can grab kitchen tools at a discounted and low price. 
• Buying items for meal prepping with cheap ingredients is the student food tip we have for you from our side. 

Tesco 

• The supermarket Tesco has a unique clubcard which unlocks the door of significant food discounts for students or anyone in general. The store also has frequent student offers on ready mills and snacks. 
• The store also has plenty of options for budget cooking and meal deals. One of the best things about this store is that students often get a college student discount from Tesco through partnerships. 

ASDA

• ASDA has variety and price matching and the store is known for affordable frozen and canned goods, which is great for stocking up pantry essentials as frozen food and canned food has more shelf life than fruits and vegetables. 
• The supermarket also runs seasonal food deals which is perfect for students and the supermarket also has online ordering options available with coupons for food. Ordering online can help in availing more discounts by applying coupons. 

Sainsbury’s 

• Sainsbury’s has a balance of quality and price and with the Nectar card they provide personalized food discounts. Also, the supermarket has weekly meal deals on sandwiches, drinks, and snacks.
• The supermarket is perfect for you if you want good quality with exceeding or crossing the budget you have set on food items. 

Iceland 

• If you are fond of frozen foods or find frozen food more convenient then Iceland supermarket is best for finding great quality frozen foods. Frozen food makes it more convenient for students who have limited cooking time. 
• The supermarket also offers low-cost frozen food bundles and weekly promotions. The best thing about this supermarket is that they give regular student discounts on food packs. 
• Time-saving for busy college schedules. 

Co-op 

• Co-op supermarket is a very student-friendly supermarket as they offer over 10% discount to college students with TOTUM card. 
• The supermarket is also known for ready-to-eat and meal deal options. They even have many locations and stores near universities for easy access to students. 

Morrisons 

• The last supermarket in our list is known for its budget savers. Morrisons has a loyalty scheme which offers food deals for their regular customers. The store has an excellent fresh produce section as well.  
• Morrisons also have online grocery ordering options available with them,  which include coupons for food to save more.  

Student Food Tips: How to Save Money?

Here are the top tips for saving money as a student: 

• Always Carry a Loyalty Card: Some supermarkets have their own cards like Tesco clubcard, Nectar card for Sainsbury’s supermarket, or Lidl plus app which give food discounts which customers can avail. Loyalty schemes can help in saving £100+ a year for students
• Shop at the Right Time: Visit the supermarkets late evening for reduced “yellow sticker” food. Stores like Aldi and Lidl often reduce the price of bakery goods before closing. This is one of the most effective student food tips which help in immediate savings. 
• Buy in Bulk and Share with Friends: Buy items like rice, pasta or cereals in bulk which can help in reducing cost per portion. Split groceries with flatmates to make the most of food deals.
• Use Student Discount Platforms: One of the top tips for international students in UK is to take advantage of student deals and discounts. In short, the best way to avail student discounts is to use student discount cards like TOTUM at places like Co-op and Domino’s. Other platforms like student beans and UNiDays list the latest food discount offers. Also, many restaurants give student offers just by showing your ID.
• Cook in Batches: Our student food tips for you guys is, try to prepare meals for the week and store them in the fridge, this can help in saving time and money. Use frozen vegetables to reduce wastage. 
• Use Uber Eats Promo Code: Food delivery apps in UK like Uber Eats offer promo codes to their first-time users and also have different student discount options. Don’t forget to check student platforms for food deals. Food delivery apps are a good option when you can’t cook but still want discounts but ordering from it everyday can cost a lot. 

Where to Find Food Discounts Outside Supermarkets? 

Supermarkets are not the only place which offers discounts on food, there are many other food places also. Some of those places are:

• Food Delivery Apps: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eats often run student discounts. Use an Uber Eats promo code to avail up to 50% discounts. You can also combine the in-app discounts with cards like TOTUM to avail more student discounts. 
• Restaurant Chains: Restaurants chains like Nando’s, Pizza Hut, and Subways frequently offer student discounts for students in the UK. check platforms like Student Beans or UNiDAYS for valid food deals. Not only this, you will also find Chinatowns in UK wherein you can explore different delicacies.
• Cafes and Local Stores: Many coffee shops near universities are budget and student-friendly and provide student offers. Independent stores also offer food coupons which you can avail at their stores.

Conclusion

Being a student in the UK doesn’t mean you should survive on instant noodles. With the right student food tips, you can make a good living while saving a lot of money. So, shop smartly, eat healthy, and save big on food costs. And, for student accommodation in UK, you already know Uninist is your go-to destination. Plus, our experts care for you more than just a housing partner as we don’t want students to eat like cavemans. So, give a read to our blogs and make student living easy in UK!

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