Recently, the discussion regarding University students surviving on only one meal a day to save money has since gone viral on social media. 

One man took to his Twitter revealing that he knew a person who eats a packet of instant noodles a day, and breaks it into two so they can have it for lunch and dinner.

I believe the only hardship the nobody deserve in the world is hunger. If you know anyone who are penniless and hungry, feed them. No matter who they are. No matter if you don’t like them.

— Hazy_Rain (@justalhafiz) February 21, 2023

He also said that the friend suffered from malnutrition after years of poor diet, “Years later he passed away and the doctor said that he was severely malnourished.”

“I believe the only hardship nobody deserves in this world is hunger. If you know anyone who doesn't have money or is hungry, please feed them. No matter who they are,” the man continued in his tweet. 

After his tweet went viral, many Malaysian students took to the comment section to reveal how they, too, survived on only one meal a day. Some even said they can only afford plain rice as the cost of living has risen significantly. 

“For five days a week, I only eat plain rice to fill my stomach. I spent RM1 for plain rice and fried chicken crumbs for lunch and I will have instant noodles. I will also have crackers, eggs and milo if I’m feeling super hungry. 

“I can do it, but most can’t. Students shouldn’t be hungry,” they said. 

For 5 days a week I eat only to fill my stomach, I only spent RM1 for nasi putih+habuk ayam for lunch, at night I eat instant noodles. There are biscuits, eggs and milo thrown in there somewhere.
I can do it, but most can't
Students shouldn't be hungry pic.twitter.com/j5FZB6yXlX

— anansi (@eb1rah) February 22, 2023

Another student also said that they only buy rice with kuah (gravy) for lunch, “If I have extra money, I will buy some vegetables or a potato dish for RM2.

“Usually in the evening, I will go to bed early if I’m feeling hungry because I won’t have the energy to do anything,” the tweet reads.

my daily meal. nasi+kuah for rm1. ada duit lebih boleh ambil lauk kentang sayur macmni rm2. and yess makan sekadar kenyang. malam2 kalau lapar tidur je awal, sebab tkde tenaga nk buat apa2. biasanya selang 2 hari sekali tk ambil nasi, always pray tht i will survive. pic.twitter.com/avSLH26ruM

— lalilaaluuu (@toyoutoobe) February 22, 2023

Meanwhile, one student said that they would bring their own sambal from home, which helps in cutting the cost of their lunch, “I sometimes have to starve if I don’t have money. I don’t want to bother my parents.

“I will buy a piece of chicken and have it with my sambal.”

nasi + kuah , rm1.5 , bawak sambal dari rumah , kalau lapar sangat beli la ayam seketul , kadang bila takde duit sanggup ikat perut taknak susahkan parents pic.twitter.com/rSo6iPFjM9

— kaizerx⁹ • 🇲🇾 (@kandaryagami) February 22, 2023

And shockingly, they’re not the only ones! Many also took to the comment section to share how they survive college with little to no money! 

Some even had to work part time jobs after a whole day of classes which they said was tiring, but they had to do it so that they could earn money to buy food.

Pernh beli nasi putih dgn kuah je , Ya Allah rm4 rasa eh mahalnya kuah je pun 🥹 balik rumah goreng telur makan dgn kicap , lepastu beli beras, dgn maggie. Rasa Jimbit bila masak nasi sendiri. Makan campur nasi dgn maggie sampai muak haha

— ๖ۣۣۜℜᵒˢᵉ❀. (@Rossedilya) February 23, 2023

Yes, me as a student can't afford even menu rahmah, terlalu banyak benda nak kena bayar, i only makan nasi paling banyak once a week, selebihnya maggi dan roti or tak makan langsung, paling susah bila study jauh dari parents, nak kena kumpul duit tiket balik lagi nanti

— jaeniey | 🦋KLASEEK🦋 (@jaenieyyxx) February 22, 2023

Pernah tinggal rm5 untuk survive selama seminggu sebelum elaun matrik masuk. Caranya, beli roti butterscotch satu buku. Makan yg tu je selepas balik klas jam 6.

— hani 🐝 (@hannitajudin) February 22, 2023

Teringat zaman study dulu makan megi for lunch and biskut kering for dinner for 2 weeks until my classmate (also close friend) noticed pastu marah kenapa tak bagitau takde duit 😭

— mirawrr (@MiraaMrdhyh) February 23, 2023

Pernah jumpa satu junior nih hanya makan sekali sehari ja. Sebab family dia susah so budget makan RM2.5/sehari. Bayangkan weh. Nak mintak family, family dah susah. Kadang nak save duit, makan 5 keping roti ja. Apa pun salute kat dia sebab mampu kerja part time lepas habis kelas.

— _nrfrh ♥ (@farah_sorfina) February 23, 2023

This is heartbreaking…