Being at university is a change, there’s no doubt about that. You go from (typically) home cooked meals created by loving parents to fighting with a microwave daily. Students have to learn how to keep themselves alive, and sometimes that means eating the first thing you can find.
Brig put a poll up on our Instagram to find out what our fellow students suffered through eating in their four years. Here’s some of the most diabolical meals to ever grace the earth.
Cold Baked Bean Wrap
This is genuinely gag-inducing to think about. You poor soul. Could you not have even warmed up the beans? At least it’s protein dense – at least there’s that. One way to elevate this struggle meal is to add a bit of cheese into it, although every time I buy cheese, it goes mouldy within days, so maybe double check the packet before committing to the garnish.
Skinny Noodles With Only Soy Sauce
You see, this could almost be nice! Who doesn’t appreciate a good noodle? However, you did mention that you ended up folded over the toilet all day, so maybe I’m being too optimistic. Perhaps add some chilli flakes and spring onions, and then you’ll be halfway to ramen. We can work with this.
Stale Wrap Dipped in Cold Tomato Soup
Oh dear. I suppose when there’s no bread, you have to make do. Again, why cold? Is the microwave too advanced? Is it too far away? The real struggle here is the temperature of the soup. Soup is one of Earth’s greatest inventions, it can be enjoyed in so many ways, but typically people can be bothered to heat it up. The wrap – why was it stale? How old was it? Was it a good substitute for bread? I can’t imagine it was.
One Singular Packet of Microwave Rice
Straight to the point. Nutritious. Easy to make. I reckon this is a pretty good struggle meal. Golden veg rice even has vegetables! You’re hitting at least two major food groups here, and it’s warm and filling. When you’re in a pinch, or when SAAS hasn’t hit yet, good old Uncle Ben will always be there for you. Although, maybe throw on a chicken nugget or two and elevate the experience.
Now, resorting to a struggle meal is not something to be ashamed of. We’ve all been there. But at some point in these four years, you do eventually pick up some slither of culinary skills. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. Although lack of effort, money, and ingredients do somewhat complicate things. Sometimes a tin of soup or a pot noodle is all there is, and that’s something we must accept.
Featured Image Credit: Kerry Lloyd