We’ve all been there: It’s noon, you’re starving between classes, and the dining hall line is longer than your midterm essay. Enter the 10-minute college lunch that saved me—a broke, time-crunched student—and still saves me now as a “real adult” who sometimes forgets groceries exist.
Here’s the genius part: It’s just a sweet potato, a can of tuna, and salsa.
Easy Steps:
1. Stab the potato with a fork (channel your stress)
2. Microwave it for 5-7 minutes (or until it’s soft enough to squish with a spoon),
3. Then fluff the insides and pile on tuna and salsa.
That’s it. No chopping, no fancy tools, and best of all—you eat straight from the bowl.
Dishes? Optional.
Why it works:
- Sweet potatoes pack fiber and vitamins to keep you full through back-to-back lectures.
- Tuna adds heart-healthy protein and omega-3s to avoid the 3 p.m. crash (per the American Heart Association
- Salsa = instant flavor without effort (and hey, it technically counts as a vegetable).
Lazy upgrades:
- Swap tuna for a $1 gas station hard-boiled egg.
- Dump a pre-washed salad kit on top if you’re feeling ~fancy~.
- My favorite travel-sized hot sauce lives in my backpack
- Pair with almond-stuffed dates for extra energy between classes
This 10-minute college lunch isn’t glamorous, but it’s faster than waiting for delivery, cheaper than a vending machine, and—unlike ramen—won’t leave you hungry an hour later. The ultimate test? I still make it weekly, years after graduation.
Your turn: What’s your go-to “I have zero time or money” meal? Cereal for dinner? Cold pizza? Share your survival hacks below!
