I'm a broke student from France who shops at Lidl on a tight budget. Here are 15 of the best things I buy.

One of the things I miss most about France is our bakeries — but Lidl's sourdough is the best supermarket find I have tried while living abroad.

Although it's more expensive than other loaves of bread, I think it's completely worth it.

It's usually best within two days of purchase. Since I can't eat that much by myself, I started freezing half of it in slices that I can warm in the toaster.

I miss good pastries from home and sometimes I need something to keep me from getting homesick.

The croissants don't have the same texture as the ones back home but they do have the buttery taste I crave.

They're also 39 pence, about 53 cents USD, which is really unbeatable.

Potatoes are a necessary purchase for every student. They're cheap, somewhat nutritious (as long as you don't drench them in oil), and versatile.

I prefer to buy them in small batches. This way, they won't sprout or rot before I get to eat them.

French people (specifically Southern French people) love garlic and I am no different.

I like chopping and freezing garlic in bulk so I don't have to peel and cut them every time.

It brings your dishes to the next level and Lidl has the best deals. You can purchase four heads for 55 pence, or about 53 cents.

I often don't consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, especially when they tend to get pricey. Luckily, bananas are a great and inexpensive source of vitamins for students.

Whether I incorporate them into a smoothie, pancakes, or post-workout snack, I love the energy boost I get from bananas.

I've found that adding a handful or two of spinach to any dish helps me eat healthier without feeling like I'm compromising on flavor.

I add spinach to nearly everything now, like in smoothies, soups, curries, and pasta sauces.

When I started university, I became mostly vegetarian and lentils are a fantastic alternative source of protein.

I love to use them in curries or to replace beef in dishes like bolognese.

As an inexpensive and filling meal, pasta is a huge part of any student's diet.

Conchiglie is my absolute favorite kind. The shell shape scoops up the sauce perfectly and I was so pleased when I found Lidl carried this pasta.

You're also bound to find pesto in most student pantries.

Rather than using it as a pasta sauce, I like to eat it on a thick slice of toasted bread with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella for a quick and easy lunch.

These chopped tomatoes are a must for me.

Although most students will buy premade sauce, I think it's not that hard to make your own.

It's cheaper, healthier, and much tastier than the ready-made options.

If there is one food that I have adopted since coming to the UK, it's porridge.

Rolled oats are great if you're looking for a filling breakfast. You can customize them however you want, whether it's with fruits, some kind of nut butter, or chocolate.

Recently, I have started making overnight oats which can literally taste like a healthy dessert.

I love eggs because they're the perfect last-minute meal and are nearly impossible to mess up.

For example, if you wanted to make an omelet but failed, you can always pivot to delicious scrambled eggs.

I am lactose intolerant and try to stay away from dairy products as much as possible.

Although I have transitioned to nondairy milk and yogurt, vegan cheese just doesn't do it for me.

Real cheese is 100% worth the pain and having a piece every so often keeps me sane.

A French girl can't go long without butter.

I like to get unsalted options because they're more versatile. My guilty pleasure is spreading a layer on a piece of good bread and sprinkling sea salt on top.

One of the best things I learned as a student is that frozen fruits retain all their nutritional value. They're also much cheaper than fresh options, especially berries.

I personally love adding mangos and raspberries to my smoothies or morning porridge.

Click to keep reading Lidl Diaries.