With exam season well underway for many of us, cooking meals is not always at the forefront of our minds. Nevertheless, it is all the more important to keep ourselves nourished and carve out some time for our meals. Charge those big brains with some quick and easy meals to get you through the final push.

1) The Morning Porridge

Kickstart the day with a warm bowl of porridge. As a slow-release carb, a hearty porridge breakfast normally keeps me going until lunch. Not only is it filling, but you can go all out with the toppings. I tend to add blueberries, strawberries and bananas, with flaxseeds for omega-3 and maybe some granola. Unlike Goldilocks, I don’t think there is one recipe that is ‘just right’ because you can make them your own in so many different ways.

2) Not your same old Pesto Pasta

We can all agree that a student staple has got to be pesto pasta. There is no wonder why: it is easy to make, can get you to the five-a-day mark and it is a delicious meal. In addition to the pesto, I have stir-fried some onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and then added some spinach and fresh cucumber. A sprinkle of salt, chilli flakes and mixed herbs can also take it a long way in flavour. Who says you can’t be a home-chef and tackle your exams at the same time?

3) The Home-Made Meal Deal

If you prefer a lighter lunch, as I sometimes do to ward off the afternoon slump, I make a veg and humous wrap, with some succulent fruits and yoghurt on the side.

4) Put the 'Pro' in Protein!

I cannot do a blog about exam food without mentioning the mother of all protein in the world of vegans and vegetarians: Linda McCartney’s Veggie Sausages. I have yet to try other brands, but you can’t go wrong with cooking two of these sausages and putting them in a sandwich or having them with some stir-fried vegetables. You could even chop them up and put them in pasta.

If you feel like taking the evening off after an exam, Luvyum offers a variety of sustainable options for a takeaway. Finally, as much as the emphasis has been put on food, hydration is equally important to maintain concentration so keep a handy bottle of water by your side to replenish your mind.