I am working in another city for a month. In order to save money, I'm living in a college dormitory while the students are on holidays. It is super cheap, but I don't have access to any kitchen facilities.

There is a kitchenette that I share with 8 other girls on my floor. It has a microwave, an electric kettle and one tiny bar fridge that is almost always full of other peoples stuff.

The college does have a meal hall, but it is $18 per meal and not really within the realms of my budget to eat there every day and night. I am also a vego and cant have gluten, so every second meal isn't suitable for me down there. Special meals cost even more.

There is a cafe strip near by, and I have been eating out a lot, but again, that is really putting a hole in my pocket.

I was wondering how its possible to eat three balanced meals a day when you're living in a dorm? Back home I have my own apartment and I cook for myself and my partner almost every night. We get fresh produce from the markets, and look after ourselves really well.

I'm living off dried packaged fruit, tin salmon and microwave cous cous at the moment - and would love some tips or meal ideas from others who've lived in dorms and managed to keep a healthy diet.

Is there anyway you can get your own mini fridge, used? I sold mine for $50US, and originally bought it for $300. I think this would expand your food options significantly. Some of the older models are REALLY tiny, my best friend had one that was half the size of mine, and mine was definitely a bar/mini fridge.

I lived in a dorm during college, but our kitchen area had a full stove and oven as well as a microwave.

I'm trying to think of some healthy meal options, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of experience with gluten free meals. I'm sorry, I really do feel for you! It can be so frustrating and difficult to eat well/cheaply with such limited options.

FYI couscous is not gluten free. The common misconception is that it is based on semolina, so it is ok. But semolina is just another form of wheat, meaning that in its original form it is definitely a food you want to avoid if you need to be gluten free for medical reasons.

Moving on some food ideas....

I spend a good part of my summers living in hotels and I am also gluten, dairy, casin free so I sympathize with your situation.

I stock my room with fresh fruit, peanut butter, rice cakes, gluten free crackers, udi's GF bread, and trail mix or other mixed nuts. This works for light meals and snacks.

Some microwave meal options:
Instant mashed potatoes - there are a few brands that are GF
Rice noodle bowls
Corn tortillas with cheese
Single serve soups from Pacific Foods
www.pacificfoods.com . . .

Soup? I lived in similar circumstances when I was abroad, and soup was my saviour. If you get cans, it doesn't need to be kept in the fridge, and it's something hot and not too unhealthy (check the salt though!)

Similarly porridge? Kelkin do a nice GF porridge and again, it's warm and doesn't need a fridge.

Tinned tuna is great for you too, if you fancy an alternative to salmon. Nuts also keep well and provide good protein and minerals.

Not ideal for a whole month, but you won't starve.

Steamer bags are awesome for the microwave. I know pre-cut/washed veggies are expensive, but you could do a whole day on one bag and just steam them and eat it with tinned fish or beans or something? I don't know if brown rice is GF but they make the little individual packets of that you can just chuck in the microwave.