If health is a priority for you in 2026, you might be looking to avoid UPFs – or ultra-processed foods. Typically these foods are high in saturated fat, salt and sugar while really low in nutrients. Everything in moderation, but if you are wanting some budget-friendly low UPFs to add to your student accommodation fridge or cupboards, we’ve got you sorted…
Brown rice and wholewheat pasta
Dried (or canned) chickpeas (delicious if you air fry them with a touch of salt and olive oil)
Quinoa and barley
Beans – black, kidney and haricot particularly
Dried lentils
Plain porridge oats – not the flavoured variety
Popcorn kernels, unflavoured and ready to air-pop at home
Natural/unflavoured yoghurt and Greek yoghurt
Raw and/or roasted nuts
‘Wonky’ fruit and veg (budget-friendly and also great for helping prevent and reduce food waste!)
Frozen fruit or veg
Fresh fish
Dried herbs – very important for flavour
Sourdough bread instead of typical sliced loaves (or make your own!)
Plain tofu
Raw meat – nothing battered, breadcrumbed or shaped. Butchers are best for this
High quality dark chocolate
Pita chips (instead of crisps)
Herbal teas
Sparkling water
There are plenty more options out there, but these tend to be easy to get hold of and not hugely expensive. When it comes to cutting out UPFs, you’re looking for super short ingredient lists – and of those ingredients, things you recognise rather than words which sound overly science-y.
If there’s something you can make yourself – like bread, flapjacks, protein balls or popcorn – then why not give it a go? You’ll be using much fewer ingredients than those you’ll find listed on the back of a packet, and you might even have fun doing it. Plus there’s nothing more satisfying than snacking on something tasty and knowing you made it yourself! Cooking and baking is a great screen-free activity when you need a study break, too.
You will, of course, come across some pricey options. Organic ketchup, for example, will typically set you back more than your usual choice. It’s the same with low/no UPF peanut butter, other condiments, bread and so on. But it’s always worth checking what’s on offer and shopping around to see how you can make your student budget go further while prioritising your health and wellbeing.
