Feeding Teens Through Revision and Exams

30 Mar

I have three daughters, two of whom this Easter holiday will be in a deep hole of revision. One taking it a bit more seriously than the other with ‘A’ levels and GCSE mocks respectively, though there will no doubt be some “locking in” from both. I should note this does not involve a lock, it is more a call to action on their part, to study with feverish intent, so they say. We’ve been here before when my oldest was studying for her GCSEs two years ago. It’s not fun. For anyone. Least of all the teenagers, stuck at their desks as summer begins to flourish, the sounds of summer - absolutely everyone having so much fun - louder than ever. Having been through this period once already as a parent, I feel huge compassion for anyone now in the same boat, teenagers and parents alike. It makes for a grim few months, but there is light, it’s just a shame that it’s at the end of a very long tunnel. And whilst I realise not all teenagers will have the same attitude to study and exams, as someone who is in part responsible for my teenagers and their wellbeing during this gruelling time, I do have some thoughts that might be of help and want to share them here.

I am a professional chef and author of 10 cookery books, and whilst I am not, by any stretch, a parenting expert, where I think I can help, is what to cook for your teenagers facing the next few months of academic onslaught. In this short piece from me and accompanying series of recipes published exclusively on my website, I have come up with some suggestions for must-have ingredients, to charge and to energise the teenage brain, some snacks you (or they, if they want some culinary respite) can make when energy levels flag. There is also a wholesome idea for a lunch they can eat when stapled to their desk, books piled high, computer fan whirring away as white noise and only companion.

Also here to say, I am not a nutritionist, and furthermore, I am fully on board for all things placebo! I’ll take any help I can get when it comes to this most stressful period of family dynamics. If walnuts being shaped like a brain are said to help you to think more deeply or rosemary helps you to remember more, I say, GO FOR IT. I bought Grace her own rosemary in a pot from the supermarket to have on her desk throughout her study duration last time around; “Rub the leaves between your hands and smell them deeply,” I would say, exiting her bedroom, my arms full of empty tea cups. Rosemary went in pretty much all my cooking that April / May.

There will be times you might want to brave a “You can do it” rallying cheer as you deliver food to their room to eat at their desk (or on their bed, there is always that too!), you could also find yourself shouting an encouraging, plaintive, or even desperate “Dinner’s ready, take a break” to puncture the monotony on their behalf. One thing is for certain, these weeks, months even, are an absolute marathon for everyone. Emotions will run high.
I am reminded of an advert on T.V back when I was kid, back when there were only 5 T.V channels. The advert was for a breakfast cereal that I was never allowed to eat (funny how important memories always stick). On screen, a great big fluffy yellow monster (this was well before CGI people) who would roar in a monosyllabic, but humorous and monster-y tone the words “FEED ME”.To put it bluntly, I suppose this is my approach to food and cookery for all teenagers come revision and exam season. And unlike that breakfast cereal, but a bit like that monster, teenagers do need feeding well, with good nutritious food, now more than ever.

I hope this set of recipes is of some help, wholesome, enticing dishes, food to spur them on, dishes to encourage and to reassure them. And underneath those impenetrable (enormous fluffy yellow?) monster suits, they are all still in there, they’re just a bit overwhelmed for the time being, they’ll be back, they just need to get through this. They’ll hate me for writing this!