Essential Items for Your Uni-Bound Kid

Keep it Simple

For Parents: Essential Items for Your Uni-Bound Teenager's to support Healthy Eating and Meal Prep

Sending your kid off to university is a big step, and you want to ensure they’re prepared to eat healthily and save money. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you pick the right items for meal prepping and healthy eating, with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency. Remember, less is more and they won’t thank you for sending them off with boxes of equipment that they never use.

Essential Cookware: Non-Stick and Safe

1.     Non-Stick Saucepan:

Invest in a high-quality, non-stick saucepan. Look for those labelled as PFOA-free and PTFE-free to ensure safety. Ceramic-coated saucepans are a great choice as they are non-toxic and offer excellent non-stick properties. A 2-3 litre size is perfect for one or two servings, making it ideal for university cooking.

Recommended Products

- GreenPan Venice Pro Ceramic Non-Stick Saucepan – Available here at John Lewis for around £45.

- Budget Option: IKEA KAVALKAD Non-Stick Saucepan, this has a Teflon coating so make sure they know not to use metal utensils when cooking as this will scratch the surface and result in food contamination – Available here at IKEA for around £8.

2.     Non-Stick Tray for Baking:

A non-stick baking tray is perfect for tray bakes and sheet pan meals. Choose one made of carbon steel or aluminium with a safe non-stick coating. This will make cooking and cleaning much easier.

Recommended Product:

- Lakeland My Kitchen Non-Stick Oven Tray – Available here at Lakeland for around £15.

- Budget Option: Wilko Non-Stick Oven Tray – Available here at Wilko for around £3.

Safe and Eco-Friendly Containers

3.     Glass Storage Containers:

Ditch the plastic and go for glass storage containers. They are microwave-safe, don’t retain odours, and are better for the environment. Look for containers with airtight, BPA-free lids to keep food fresh.

Recommended Product:

- Pyrex Cook & Freeze Set – Available here at Argos for around £25.

- Budget Option: IKEA 365+ Food Storage Container Set – Available here at IKEA for around £10.

Money-Saving Essentials

4.     Insulated Flask:

Encourage your university student to prepare their own hot drinks. A high-quality insulated flask can keep beverages hot or cold for hours. This is a great way to save lots of money and avoid daily coffee shop expenses.

Recommended Product:

- Thermos Stainless King Flask – Available here at Amazon UK for around £25.

- Budget Option: Wilko Stainless Steel Flask – Available here at Wilko for around £5.

Minimal Equipment for Maximum Efficiency

5.     Basic Utensils:

Stick to the basics – a good knife, a cutting board, a wooden spoon, and a spatula. These are essential for almost any meal prep and don’t take up much space.

Recommended Product:

- Joseph Joseph Elevate 5-Piece Kitchen Tool Set – Available here at Dunelm for around £25.

- Budget Option: Wilko Kitchen Utensil Set – Available here at Wilko for around £5.

6.     Compact Blender:

A small blender is versatile for making smoothies, sauces, and even soups. It’s compact, easy to clean, and a real game-changer for quick, healthy meals.

Recommended Product:

- Breville Blend Active Personal Blender – Available here at Currys for around £25.

- Budget Option: Argos Cookworks Hand Blender – Available here at Argos for around £12.

Quick Tips for Meal Prep Success

- Plan Ahead: Encourage your teenager to plan meals for the week. It saves time, reduces stress, and ensures they eat balanced meals.

- Batch Cooking: Teach them to cook in batches. Large quantities of grains, proteins, and veggies can be stored and mixed up for different meals throughout the week (see my next blog on safe storage timescales to avoid food poisoning).

- Easy Recipes: Provide a few simple, nutritious recipes that require minimal ingredients and time (PDF available to download coming soon).

Keeping it simple and efficient is key when preparing your university-bound child for healthy eating. Focus on safe, non-stick cookware, eco-friendly storage containers, and essential utensils. With these items, they’ll be well-equipped to prep their meals, eat healthier, and save money. Plus, they’ll be learning valuable skills that will serve them well beyond university. Enjoy your summer with your teen helping them prepare to fly the nest.

*Be sure to see my next blog on food hygiene essential knowledge for students. Out next week.