• There are many ways to save money when you are on a low budget, but food should not be your first choice!
  
• Your diet is one of the most important factors that influence your physical health and stamina, your mental health and your cognitive abilities, and the health of your future children.
• If you are coming from another country, you might be surprised to find different grocery stores offering very similar products at very different prices (e.g. a loaf of bread costing anything from  $1 to $10). Do not be fooled: cheap food is usually just that - cheap, of inferior quality, full of harmful additives and lacking nutrients.
  
• Quality, nutritious food is expensive; so how can you eat well on a low budget? - Save money on the work, not the ingredients! Learn to prepare your meals from scratch, using the best quality ingredients that you can afford.
• There are gazillions of websites and online videos that you can use to learn cooking; for example, food.com
• Print books may be better for learning basic skills; my favourites are Nourishing Traditions (for cooks with some experience) and
  Nourishing Traditions Cookbook for Children (for absolute beginners)
• If you come from a different culture, stick to your traditional diet as much as possible; chances are, it is healthier than the standard western diet, and better suited for your genetics. You'll find a variety of ethnic grocery stores in Ottawa.
• Some more on-line advice:
  
• How to cook whole food from scratch and keep your day job
  
• The most comprehensive, inclusive guide on nutrient-dense food.

2. Other Health Advice

• I hope I don't need to emphasize that alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (including prescription drugs) will quickly rob you of money as well as health...
• Exercise, of course, is super important for physical and mental wellness. But did you know that avoiding sitting for long periods of time (hard for a student!) is even more important, in other words, regular exercise does not compensate for long periods of sitting?
• Get enough good-quality sleep. You'll get more rest at night and feel more energetic during the day if you align you daily rhythm with the sun. Tips for better sleep
  

• Be sure to get sufficient sunlight (and fresh air): it will lift up your mood, help you sleep well at night, nourish your eyes, and (on the sun-exposed skin) make vitamin D for you. Beware that if you come from a warmer climate or are dark-skinned, you are likely accustomed to much more sun exposure than we get in Ottawa, and need it to stay healthy. See Why Sun is Necessary for Optimal Health
• Reduce your exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR): keep you cellphone away from your body, especially at night, and do not use it in a car; turn off Wi-Fi at night; choose to live at least 400m away from cell phone towers. On dangers of EMR.
• Reduce your stress: exercise, yoga, tai-chi, meditation, grounding, time in nature, Emotional Freedom Technique, counselling, time with good friends and family, pets...