Whether your kids are knee-deep in GCSEs or A-levels, or you’re a university student spending late nights in the library, fuelling yourself with quick and healthy meals is critical during exam season. While it’s tempting to grab convenience food on the go, cooking up some batch meals in a slow cooker or air fryer will have you feeling nourished ahead of your test. Or whiz up a smoothie in a blender for a snack packed with goodness.
Here are 3 easy, healthy and full of brain food recipes to help you get through exams:
Exam breakfast burrito
Fuel up while you’re cramming in last-minute stats on this quick and easy breakfast wrap. With protein-packed eggs and spinach - essential for keeping your brain sharp this burrito is designed to keep you full so forget embarrassing rumblings mid exam. The best bit about this recipe is that you can add in whatever you fancy. Think fresh avocado, bacon, sausage, hot sauce or even a cheeky hash brown. Make these ahead of time, wrap in foil and simply heat up the morning of!
Ingredients
- 45g/1½oz pepper (about half a pepper), sliced
- 2 mushrooms, sliced
- 80g/2¾oz spinach
- pinch ground paprika
- 2 free-range eggs
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp freshly chopped parsley
- 1 tortilla wrap
Method
- Heat a non-stick frying pan and add the peppers and mushrooms, fry for a few minutes until softened, then add the spinach and paprika.
- Crack in the eggs and cook to allow the eggs scramble with the vegetables all in the one pan. Add plenty of black pepper and the parsley.
- Place the tortilla on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 10 seconds.
- To serve, spoon the egg and vegetable mixture onto the tortilla, fold up one end, then fold in the sides.
Credit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/easy_breakfast_wrap_51903
Salmon poke bowl
Got an exam after lunch? This fresh poke bowl with salmon is a great option and it’s packed with goodness. Oily fish is full of omega-3 which is essential for brain function and research has even shown that those who eat oily fish have bigger brains*! Avocado is another good one for the grey cells - packed with vitamin E, folate and other mind-boosting vitamins. This one is preppable too so make a few portions, grab and go.
Ingredients
- 2x salmon fillets, de-skinned
- Sticky Rice
- ½ pack of edamame
- 2 handfuls of shredded or sliced carrot
- Siracha mayo
- Black and white sesame seeds
- Crispy onions
- Avocado
- Spring Onion
For the teriyaki glaze:
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp of hoisin
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp white rice vinegar
Method
- Cut your salmon into chunks. In a bowl make your teriyaki marinade by adding soy sauce, hoy sin, honey and white rice vinegar.
- Coat your salmon chunks and then air fryer for 8 minutes at 190.
- Once cooked, assemble your bowl. Use microwave sticky rice for convenience and layer up with sliced avocado, a handful of edamame beans and shredded carrot. Top with sesame seeds, crispy onions and sriracha mayo.
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/boredoflunch/reel/C-DWTu3oqR2/?hl=en
Brain-boosting smoothie
If you’re spending countless hours in the library, then you’re going to need some good snacks. Sick of the usual crisps and chocolate that don’t keep you full? This smoothie recipe is full of ingredients that will support cognitive function and have you firing on all cylinders. Blueberries are a ‘superfood’ that contain a high number of antioxidants, chia seeds contain omega-3 which can’t be produced by the body and avocado is a top brain-boosting ingredient.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of blueberries
- 1 cup of pomegranate juice
- 1 cup of ice
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 ripe banana
- Half an avocado
Method
Add all your ingredients into the Samurai Vertiblender and blend until smooth. Screw on the flip top lid and go!
Feeling inspired to fuel your brain the smart way? Whether you’re revising or supporting your kids through exam season, these recipes are designed to keep energy levels high and stress levels low. Best of all, they’re quick, healthy, and made even easier with the right kitchen kit.
Explore our range of blenders, air fryers and slow cookers to make exam season that bit smoother – and tastier. Shop now and give your brain the boost it deserves!
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