There’s a stereotype that college students live off ramen and energy drinks, and honestly, it exists for a reason. Most of us are juggling a lot — classes, work, studying, trying to have a social life, maybe even remembering to sleep once in a while. Eating well ends up somewhere near the bottom of that priority list.
It’s not like we wake up and think, “I can’t wait to be unhealthy today.” It just sort of happens. You’re rushing from one thing to the next, you’re starving, and the easiest option is usually fast food or whatever is closest to campus. And even when you do finally buy groceries, figuring out what to do with them feels like solving a puzzle no one taught you how to play.
Money doesn’t help either. Fresh produce is expensive. Meal plans run out. Coupons feel like a scavenger hunt. You want to make real meals, but the cost adds up fast — and suddenly that late-night drive-thru menu looks way more appealing than spending an hour cooking.
And then there’s the motivation problem. After a long day, the last thing you want is to stand in a tiny dorm kitchen Googling “what can I make with pasta and peanut butter?” So you order food again… and the cycle continues.
It’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of caring. It’s just that college is messy, time is short, and nutrition usually loses the fight.
That’s exactly why something like Pantry Pal matters. Not to turn students into gourmet chefs, but to make eating decent food realistic. To make cooking the easier option for once. To prove that with a little guidance, college meals don’t have to suck.