Living away from home isn't always easy, especially when you're staying in a hostel or PG. Between college, work, long commutes and busy schedules, cooking elaborate meals is often the last thing you feel like doing. Many people end up skipping meals or relying on instant noodles and takeaway food.But eating well doesn't have to be difficult. Trupty, who is part of nutrition expert Rujuta Diwekar's team, recently shared a simple Instagram carousel with practical meal ideas that require very little effort. Most of these options need only a handful of ingredients, are affordable and can be prepared in minutes.Breakfast ideas that take almost no effortRajgira ladoo with milkIf mornings are rushed, rajgira (amaranth) ladoos can be a lifesaver.According to Trupty, you can enjoy one or two ladoos as a quick mid-meal snack or crush them into a glass of warm or cold milk to create a filling breakfast.How to make it:2 rajgira ladoos1 glass milkCrush the ladoos into the milk.Stir well and enjoy.It provides carbohydrates, protein and calcium to help keep you full for longer.Dahi PohaDahi poha is perfect for those days when you simply don't feel like cooking.It comes together in just a few minutes and tastes refreshing, especially during warm weather.Easy recipeIngredients1 cup thick poha½ cup fresh curdSalt to tasteA pinch of roasted cumin powderChopped corianderOptional: grated carrot, cucumber or pomegranateMethodWash the poha quickly and let it soften for a few minutes.Mix it with curd.Add salt and roasted cumin powder.Top with coriander and any vegetables or fruit you like.Serve immediately.Easy lunch and dinner optionsSimple moong dal khichdiKhichdi is one of the easiest one-pot meals you can make in a pressure cooker.Trupty suggests cooking moong dal or tur dal with rice in a 1:2 proportion.Easy recipeIngredients½ cup moong dal or tur dal1 cup rice3 to 4 cups waterSaltMethodWash the rice and dal well.Add them to a pressure cooker with water and salt.Cook for 2 whistles on high heat.Serve hot with curd, pickle or papad.Add a simple tadka if you feel like itIf you're in the mood to make your khichdi more flavourful, prepare a quick tempering.Heat one teaspoon of ghee or oil and add:Mustard seedsCumin seedsCurry leavesA pinch of turmericAsafoetida (hing)Pour it over the cooked khichdi for extra taste.Dry pulse mixes that save timeKeeping ready-to-eat spice and pulse mixes at home can make meals much easier.Trupty recommends options such as:MetkutGunpowder (milagai podi)Simply mix them with hot rice and a spoonful of ghee or sesame oil for a comforting, balanced meal.How to eat themCook fresh rice.Add one or two teaspoons of metkut or gunpowder.Mix with ghee or sesame oil.Enjoy with curd or buttermilk.It's a quick meal for days when you don't have the energy to cook.Mid-meal snacks that are always worth stockingFresh fruitsKeep fruits that you genuinely enjoy eating.Bananas are one of the easiest choices because they require no preparation and work well:Before classesDuring office breaksAfter workoutsAs a late-night snackOther good options include apples, oranges, pears and seasonal fruits.Roasted peanutsRoasted peanuts are inexpensive, filling and easy to store.You can:Eat a handful as a snack.Add them to poha.Mix them into salads.Combine them with chopped onions, tomatoes and lemon juice for a quick chaat.Stock these essentials in your PGKeeping a few pantry staples can make healthy eating much easier.Always try to have:RiceMoong dal or tur dalThick pohaCurdMilkRajgira ladoosRoasted peanutsBananasMetkut or gunpowderGheeBasic spices like salt, turmeric and cuminHealthy eating doesn't have to be complicatedYou don't need a fully equipped kitchen to eat well while living away from home. Simple meals made with everyday ingredients can be nutritious, filling and affordable. As shared by Trupty from Rujuta Diwekar's team on Instagram, small changes such as stocking healthy snacks, preparing quick one-pot meals and keeping ready-to-use pantry staples can make hostel or PG life much easier. Even with a busy routine, eating balanced meals is possible when you keep things simple.