Overview
Beginning to cook at home does not have to be an overnight switch that is perfected right away:
- Start small while you’re learning
- Grow your recipe collection over time.
- Start with foods that you enjoy.
- Ensure that you buy and develop staple pantry items if you cannot frequent your grocery store.
- Read the full 10 steps on how to work towards cooking more days each week. (Medium, 9 minute read).
Avoid fast-food, prepare your meals ahead of time:
- Between balancing school, work, volunteering, etc. it can be hard to cook every single meal. If you know you won’t have time to make food, prepare ahead of time.
- Set time aside after you grocery shop to cook meals in batches.
- Try cooking dinner for two portions, one for right then and one for lunch the next day.
- Try to create a meal prep schedule for when you do have time to cook in big batches.
Get to know some essentials for preparing your own meals:
- Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Knife Skills
- Understanding common dietary restrictions
- Buying seasonal food
- Planning meals on a budget
- Finding reliable recipes Good and Cheap cookbook, SimplyRecipes and BudgetBytes are all great sources of recipes
- Getting familiar with cooking terminology
Expandable List
The Canadian Food Guide on Nutrition:
- Make it a habit to eat a variety of healthy foods, like vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods. Choose protein foods that come from plants more often.
- Drink water! Staying hydrated allows your body to function and makes sure that you don’t overeat.
- Use food labels. Be aware that food marketing can influence your choices.
- Be mindful of your eating habits. Notice when you are hungry and when you are full.
- Cook more often. Plan what you eat, involve others in planning and preparing meals.
- Enjoy your food. Culture and food traditions can be a part of healthy eating.
- Everyone’s bodies are different. Avoid comparing your diet to others. Eat enough to satisfy yourself.
- Don’t be hard on yourself. Enjoying food or treats that aren’t necessarily considered ‘healthy food options’, is okay. Having healthy food habits includes being able to enjoy our favourite treats every so often.
Cheap and healthy food can go together, after some practice in forming healthy food habits. Meal prepping and quick weeknight meals can become second nature to you.
Local Grocery Store Discount:
- Food Basics and Fortinos – Get 10% off your groceries every Tuesday with your student ID.
- Mustard Seed Co-op – Get 10% off your groceries every day with your student ID.
- Bulk Barn’s – 10% discount for students on Wednesdays with your student ID.
Understanding Recipes:
- Cooking terms can be technical and can be a barrier when you first look at recipes. UofT’s Food Services has compiled a written list of common culinary terms that you might see in recipes.
- Finding reliable recipes Good and Cheap cookbook, SimplyRecipes, and BudgetBytes are all great sources of recipes.
Resources
Resources
Information Box Group
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Athletics and Recreation
Delivers the McMaster community programs, services and facilities to promote active lifestyles. Offers intramural teams, indoor and outdoor recreational programs, the Pulse Fitness Centre, and many more.
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Big White Wall
Big White Wall is an online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programmes, creative outlets and a community that cares. When you’re dealing with everyday stressors or major life events, we’ll help you get through it.
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Chaplaincy Centre
Offers the McMaster community academic, spiritual and crisis support. For further assistance, will connect the wider community and students to other offices and services.
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David Braley Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre
A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary facility that specializes in sport medicine, orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Our services are available to the McMaster campus and greater Hamilton communities.
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Empower Me
Empowers graduate students to thrive by supporting their well-being. No issues are too big or small to access this 24/7 counselling services.
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Equity and Inclusion Office
Works closely with staff, students and faculty members to advance equity and inclusion on campus through dispute resolution, education and training, accessibility and sexual violence education and response.
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Food Collective Centre
McMaster's on-campus food bank. Provides emergency food support systems to ensure that food is always accessible to students. Also oversees other food-based programs and events, such as the Good Food Box program, free cooking workshops, and free community meals.
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Good Shepherd Food Bank
A service that provides emergency food and hygienic products for those in need including men, women, youth and children.
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Hamilton Interval House
Provides a safe place and support for abused women with or without children, community outreach services and practice-based research in our shared quest for freedom from violence.
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Indigenous Student Services
Offers First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students attending McMaster support services and opportunities. Indigenous students are provided information on academic success, transition, mental wellness, physical wellness, sexual wellness, and financial literacy
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Mac Farmstand
A student-run campus farmers market aiming to provide students, faculty, and staff access to fresh and local fruit and vegetables from June to October.
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Maccess
Advocates and ensures inclusiveness in the area of disability. Provides programming and peer support within the community. Peer support is provided by trained volunteers, with lived experiences with any of the following: disability, chronic illness, mental illness, neurodivergence, and additional identities that are part of the larger disability rights movement.
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MACycle
McMaster campus’ repair shop to help students in their bicycle needs. This reliable service provides students access to affordable bicycles, tools, accessories and repair education.
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Nature at McMaster
McMaster’s guide to the abundance of nature Hamilton provides. This guide allows the community to discover new areas in the city, as well as resources on safety, health and mindfulness in nature.
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Neighbour to Neighbour Centre
Works to equip people with preventative measures in food insecurity through a multitude of programs. Mainly, by supporting communities in emergency food access, education and counselling.
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Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Assists incoming, undergraduate, graduate and alumni students in their financial need. Services inform students about OSAP, scholarships bursaries, work programs and more.
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Ombuds Office
Provides independent, impartial and confidential advice and assistance to members of the community in the pursuit of just, fair and equitable resolutions to university-related concerns. It makes recommendations, where appropriate, for changes in policies and procedures, and promotes discussion on institution-wide concerns. It is available free of charge to members of the community.
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Open Circle
Mentors and empowers students from diverse backgrounds in personal and spiritual reflection, community service, and leadership development.
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Pride Community Centre
A 2STLGBQI+ student service that offers peer support, a resource library, free safe sex supplies, and a safe(r) space. We also plan 2SLGBTQI+ programming including Mac Pride Week, Pride History Week, and [Trans]cendence.
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Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Consultant
A specialized consultant aids survivors from sexual violence with safety planning, academic or workplace accomdations, and resources to campus or community counselling, advocacy and medical services.
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St. Matthew’s House
Empowers communities by providing emergency food to struggling individuals and families who are unable to meet their basic needs.
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Student Assistance Program
Need advice or to talk? Call 24/7 multi-lingual, confidential crisis counselling and support. Request support for mental health concerns, financial advice, relationships, and more
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Student Health Education Centre
A peer-run health promotion, education, and referral service for McMaster University students. SHEC provides students with peer support, pregnancy testing, menstrual products, and safe sex supplies, while also disseminating health information through events and campaigns.
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Student Success Centre
Assist undergraduate, graduate and alumni students in academic, professional and personal growth. Students can access services like career planning, academic coaching, mentorship and many more.
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Student Walk Home Attendant Team
A volunteer service that will accompany anyone within the McMaster community to their destination safely. No matter the weather, attendants will provide company to users on their walk or bus ride during the evenings.
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The Student Walk Home Attendant Team
A volunteer service within the McMaster Students Union that will walk or bus with users during the evening hours 7 days a week. No matter the weather, our walkers can walk with you to your destination while providing safety and company.
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Women and Gender Equity Network
A peer-support driven service that hopes to establish a community of support through programming, resources, and events to create a safe(r) space on campus for women-identified people, trans folk, gender non conforming folk and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
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Youth Wellness Centre
An accessible, friendly space for young people aged 17 to 25 to receive expert care for mental health and addiction. We offer a self- referral process, where the person seeking service is able to do their own referral right on our website, no need to make an appointment at a family doctor to access YWC.
Articles
Information Box Group
Exploring and Reflecting on a Pescatarian Diet as a University Student Living in Residence
Food & Nutrition
November 2, 2023
September 26, 2023
Binge Eating Disorders: The Pervasiveness of Eating Disorders Among University Students
Food & Nutrition
January 17, 2019
Mindful Eating on Campus: A Perspective on Balance
Food & Nutrition, Mindfulness & Relaxation, Physical Health
September 4, 2018