The ultimate food shopping list for students: an example
Dairy:
- butter
- soya milk
- cheddar cheese
Protein:
- beef mince
- salmon
- chickpeas
- eggs
Staples:
- pasta
- baked beans
- rice
- wholegrain bread
Vegetables:
- broccoli
- spinach
- tin of chopped tomatoes
- onions
Fruit:
- bananas
- apples
other:
- coffee
- olive oil
These are the foods that every student should have. They’re important additions to any kitchen and will help you cook meals at university. Here are our top picks:
- cooking oil. You’ll need cooking oil for frying, baking and roasting. It is useful in any type of cooking. Look for either olive, sunflower or vegetable oil
- butter. Butter is a must-have for any sandwich. It can be used with any other types of bread and can also be used to fry meat and vegetables
- salt and pepper. Any chef needs salt and pepper in their kitchen. Using these seasonings can really improve the taste of your meal – just don’t use too much
- sugar. Sugar can be added to anything – it’s useful in sauces, essential in baking and also goes well with a hot cup of tea or coffee
- soy sauce. Soy sauce provides that salty bit of flavour for any dish, but works the best in Asian cuisine
- spices. Different spices enhance the flavours of any meal. They can completely change the taste of a dish. You can use them while cooking or in a marinade for meat or tofu. We recommend purchasing mixed herbs, paprika, cumin and coriander to start with
- tea and coffee. Essential for any student. A cup of tea or coffee in the morning can prepare you for the day ahead. They’re also great for when you have friends visiting
- tomato puree/chopped tomatoes. Tins of chopped tomatoes and a tube of tomato puree is the basis of a lot of meals from a variety of cultures
- garlic and onions. These form the basis of any main meal and provide a real depth to your flavours
- stock cubes. For any soup, stew, chilli, curry or pasta dish, a stock cube is important. Just dissolve the cube in boiling water and then add to whatever meal requires it in the recipe
Most of these items will last for a long time, so you might only have to buy them once every few months.
Meat, fish and vegetarian alternatives make up the main part of most meals. Here are our top picks for any student:
- beef or soya mince. Mince is an incredibly versatile meat type. It is mostly used in Asian food, Mexican recipes and traditional British cuisine. Vegetarian versions can also be found at most big supermarkets
- chicken. Chicken can be used in any recipe, from soups to stews to more complex dishes. It goes very well when used in Italian cuisine. Just make sure you cook it properly
- fish. We have a great range of fish available in the UK. Cod, salmon, trout – the list is endless. Fish and chips is a national dish in this country and enjoyed by many
- vegetarian alternatives. If you don’t eat meat or fish, or just want to try something new, supermarkets in the UK usually have an entire section dedicated to vegetarian alternatives to meat. You’re able to buy ham, bacon, even chicken nuggets – and it’s all vegetarian. Just check the package for the ‘vegetarian’ label
- tofu. Another vegetarian alternative that deserves its own place in this list. Tofu is an incredibly adaptable alternative to meat. While it can be tricky to cook, it goes perfectly in Asian recipes and makes a great alternative to scrambled eggs
No kitchen is complete without some milk for your tea or coffee. When you’re in the dairy aisle of a supermarket, look out for these recommendations:
- milk. In the UK we have many different types on offer. You can buy cow’s milk or goat’s milk very easily
- plant-based milks. Alternatively, if you don’t want milk from a cow or goat, most UK supermarkets also stock soy milk, almond milk, oat milk and a bunch of others
- eggs. The key ingredient in any omelette. Eggs are a great source of protein and can be made lots of different ways. Try making them fried, scrambled, boiled or even in a quiche
- cheese. Everyone loves cheese. There are hundreds of different types and so many ways to use it when cooking. Cheese can be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese sauces for pasta and goes great as a pizza topping
- yoghurt. This delicious food comes in all different flavours, from plain to chocolate and everything in between
We can’t forget these great foods. They’re the best for filling out meals and adding energy into your diet.
- bread. Every student needs bread – for toast, sandwiches or dipping in soup
- pasta. The basis of most Italian meals and really filling. Use for Bolognese, carbonara, and macaroni and cheese
- rice. Rice is a great staple and is also very filling and very cheap. Remember to try it as your boiling to check when it’s done (unless you have a rice cooker)
- pulses, beans and grains. Items such as lentils, chickpeas, green beans, haricot beans, black beans and quinoa are easy to find, tasty and extremely cheap
- potatoes. A popular traditional choice in British cuisine, potatoes are a staple you can use in anything. You can make them into any of these; chips, baked potatoes, potato dauphinoise, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, Hassel back potatoes, potato salad, potato gratin, potato wedges…
- cereal or porridge. Looking for a quick breakfast that’s tasty and nutritious? Explore the cereal aisle in your local supermarket and pick what interests you the most
A healthy and balanced diet should include a good amount of fruit and vegetables. Here are some essentials you should have in your shopping list, and they’re so good they don’t need an explanation:
- apples
- bananas
- spinach
- broccoli
- mixed salad
- mango
- beansprouts
- carrots
- onions
Branded vs unbranded goods – Pricing 2023
The table below lists a range of frequently-purchased products and compares the prices of the cheapest unbranded items with the most expensive branded products at a leading UK supermarket*.
| Product | Unbranded (£) | Branded (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (4 pints) | 1.65 | 2.15 |
| Eggs (6pk) | 1.30 | 2.30 |
| Cheese (250g) | 2.00 | 2.71 |
| Butter (500g) | 0.95 | 4.50 |
| Bread (medium loaf) | 0.60 | 1.55 |
| Box of cereal | 0.95 | 3.00 |
| Orange juice (1l) | 0.85 | 2.89 |
| Instant coffee (200g) | 2.25 | 7.00 |
| Teabags (240pk) | 2.50 | 6.30 |
| Mineral water (1.5l) | 0.48 | 1.60 |
| Cooking oil (250ml) | 1.60 | 3.00 |
| Ham (100g) | 0.86 | 1.58 |
| Chicken breast fillets (2 portions) | 3.00 | 4.40 |
| Minced beef (500g) | 3.10 | 4.60 |
| Lamb chops (2 chops) | 3.25 | 5.00 |
| Pork chops (2 chops) | 1.90 | 3.00 |
| Bacon (500g) | 0.90 | 3.00 |
| Prawns (160g) | 2.50 | 3.75 |
| Salmon (2 fillets) | 4.40 | 5.00 |
| Tinned tuna (3pk) | 1.90 | 4.25 |
| Apples (6pk) | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Lemons (4pk) | 0.55 | 1.00 |
| Carrots (500g) | 0.30 | 0.70 |
| Tinned sweetcorn (198g) | 0.55 | 0.85 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.60 | 1.40 |
| Tomatoes (235g) | 0.65 | 1.75 |
| Mushrooms (250g) | 0.90 | 1.50 |
| Pasta (500g) | 0.85 | 1.90 |
| Rice (1kg) | 1.35 | 4.95 |
| Soup (400g) | 0.65 | 2.00 |
| Baked beans (415g) | 0.50 | 1.40 |
| Mayonnaise (500ml) | 0.95 | 2.90 |
| Ketchup (500g) | 0.75 | 3.40 |
| Crisps (6pk) | 1.00 | 2.25 |
| Deodorant spray (150ml) | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Shampoo (500ml) | 0.75 | 7.00 |
| Shower gel (250ml) | 0.99 | 4.25 |
| Hand wash (500ml) | 0.90 | 2.25 |
| Toothbrush (medium-size, non-electric) | 0.99 | 5.00 |
| Toothpaste (75ml) | 0.80 | 2.50 |
| Total | 52.97 | 124.58 |
| Potential savings | 71.61 |
*prices correct as of March 2023
Budget vs luxury supermarket – Pricing 2023
This table compares the prices of store-branded products at two leading UK supermarkets – one ‘budget’ and one ‘luxury’ – to show how prices can differ based on supermarket alone*.
| Product | Budget supermarket (£) | Luxury supermarket (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (4 pints) | 1.65 | 1.70 |
| Eggs (6pk) | 1.19 | 1.25 |
| Cheese (250g) | 1.99 | 2.85 |
| Butter (500g) | 1.19 | 1.50 |
| Bread (medium loaf) | 0.39 | 0.85 |
| Box of cereal | 0.95 | 1.35 |
| Orange juice (1l) | 0.85 | 1.10 |
| Instant coffee (200g) | 1.85 | 3.50 |
| Teabags (240pk) | 4.79 | 5.00 |
| Mineral water (1.5l) | 0.26 | 0.75 |
| Cooking oil (250ml) | 1.49 | 2.40 |
| Ham (100g) | 0.79 | 1.50 |
| Chicken breast fillets (2 portions) | 2.29 | 4.40 |
| Minced beef (500g) | 1.95 | 2.00 |
| Lamb chops (2 chops) | 3.99 | 4.72 |
| Pork chops (2 chops) | 2.62 | 4.25 |
| Bacon (500g) | 2.28 | 4.75 |
| Prawns (160g) | 1.85 | 2.90 |
| Salmon (2 fillets) | 3.29 | 4.50 |
| Tinned tuna (3pk) | 2.49 | 4.50 |
| Apples (6pk) | 0.89 | 1.90 |
| Lemons (4pk) | 0.55 | 1.70 |
| Carrots (500g) | 0.28 | 0.30 |
| Tinned sweetcorn (198g) | 0.52 | 0.70 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.95 | 1.40 |
| Tomatoes (235g) | 0.65 | 2.50 |
| Mushrooms (250g) | 1.05 | 1.30 |
| Pasta (500g) | 0.79 | 2.00 |
| Rice (1kg) | 0.48 | 1.40 |
| Soup (400g) | 0.57 | 0.70 |
| Baked beans (415g) | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| Mayonnaise (500ml) | 0.75 | 1.50 |
| Ketchup (500g) | 0.75 | 0.90 |
| Crisps (6pk) | 0.95 | 1.10 |
| Deodorant spray (150ml) | 0.65 | 2.50 |
| Shampoo (500ml) | 0.89 | 1.25 |
| Shower gel (250ml) | 0.55 | 1.00 |
| Hand wash (500ml) | 0.55 | 1.40 |
| Toothbrush (medium-size, non-electric) | 0.65 | 1.17 |
| Toothpaste (75ml) | 0.98 | 1.50 |
| Total | 52.05 | 82.54 |
| Potential savings | 30.49 |
*prices correct as of March 2023
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