A new survey has revealed that the average UK student spends more money on alcohol than on food.

Slow Food UK, in association with the Consortium for the Protection of Grana Padano cheese, discovered that the average UK student spends £10 each week on food, whilst over £20 is spent on alcohol.

Slow Food sent a survey to 10,366 students from universities across the UK. In addition to asking how much students spent on food and on alcohol, they questioned how often students cooked with fresh produce, such as vegetables meat and fruit. Most responded that they eat one portion of fresh fruit or vegetables most days (74%), although this is not anywhere near the recommended five-a-day.

68% said they eat take-aways just once a week or less.

Whilst Cambridge students have the advantage of being able to dine in college, it seems many choose to cut costs when it comes to cooking for themselves.

“Pasta with baked beans is my specialty,” claimed Andy, a medical student, “although that might be because it’s the only thing I can really cook. It’s pretty cheap and has the advantage that it creates minimal washing up”. He added that, whilst the cost of this meal is minimal, he’s happy to spend regularly on alcohol and “wouldn’t really consider cutting back on Sailor Jerry”.

David Byrne, an undergraduate at Clare, said: “I definitely spend more on booze. I don't think it's that surprising when you can get a decent meal in buttery for the price of a pint; food is simply cheap here, and alcohol expensive. I enjoy cooking myself but it does take time and we're all busy”.

“The other day I ate just a pot of houmous with a spoon because I was up late working and out of ingredients, it wasn't that bad”.

Other unusual meals students claimed to have eaten include pasta with vinegar and garlic cloves; baked beans on hula hoops; and supernoodles omelettes.

Time-pressured Cambridge students also seem vulnerable to cutting corners when it comes to food preparation. One vet admitted: “I have scraped mould off bread before to make it edible. Although not my proudest moment, it tasted fine”.

According to the survey, students particularly struggle to eat well when they’re running short of money.

Exams and deadlines are also cited as reasons why food is often used as a fuel rather than something to take time over and enjoy. One Caian said her mother feels the need to send “food parcels” during Easter term, which contain “cereal bars, dried fruit and anything remotely healthy. She worries that I won’t take time to eat properly when I’m revising and probably feels it’s one way she can help with the stress of exams”.