By Sam Harrison

As the end of the academic year approaches, the thought of long summer days and catching up with friends may well be on your mind. For most of us, we must first tackle those long library days of revision and then finally…exams!

Now, without a doubt this period can be stressful and a little draining, but MetMUnch are here to provide you with some simple nutritional nuggets of information to help you on your way.

1. Breakfast Is King (Or Queen)

Now admittedly, it’s a cliché but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Your body has been fasting for the hours you’ve been asleep and requires a hearty breakfast to kick-start all its intricate functions.

A satisfying meal of scrambled or poached eggs on whole wheat bread gives a brilliant dose of protein and slow releasing carbohydrates. Eggs also contain a vitamin called Choline, which has been linked to better cognitive performance and protecting against memory loss (especially pertinent when revising).

 

2. Eat For Energy

To better aid the long hours of revision, your body should be providing the brain with a steady supply of glucose. Through aerobic respiration, glucose is the key source of energy within the body, and your muscles and brain (with that, your concentration) need it to thrive.

Foods with a low glycemic index rating such as sweet potatoes, quinoa or oats, release glucose into the blood stream gradually. This will increase concentration levels for longer periods (sadly, we can’t say the same for nachos or cookies).

 

3. Water Your Brain

Water allows a large proportion of the chemical reactions to take place in our bodies, so the speed at which our body and brain functions is directly inhibited when we become dehydrated.

As mentioned earlier, after a period of sleep, we need to replenish certain things the body needs to operate optimally, and this includes water. Checking the colour of your urine is a strong indicator of hydration levels. The darker it is, the more water you need to drink. The NHS recommends we aim to drink around 1.2 litres of fluid a day, preferably water.

 

4. Move Your Body

Take a break from the books and get some exercise. Even a 30 minute walk can do wonders by boosting your concentration levels whilst naturally elevating your mood.

 

5. Plan, Plan, Plan

The key to maintaining a healthy body and mind when revising is preparation. A little forward planning goes a long way to negating the risk of reaching for poor food choices which may hamper your revision.

Ten minutes spent planning your meals before you go food shopping will be worth it on results day!

 

6. Treat yourself!

Perhaps most importantly – set aside some time to enjoy your favourite foods or drinks in a guilt-free way. This will not only help to keep you motivated, but gives you something to look forward to at the end of a long week. I personally find the idea of pizza and cocktails especially motivating 🙂

Best of luck, everyone!

Why should you spend your Sunday afternoons prepping meals for that long week at uni?

Here’s why…

• You’re a student, you’re skint. Well either that, or you would just rather spend your student loan on something a bit more exciting than food. So, why not save your money by only buying what you need for the week? This way you can plan and prep your lunch for uni so you can grab it in the morning and go.

• It can also stop that dreading snacking between lectures. “Ooo look! A vending machine”. Control yourself!! You have wonderful and nutritious nuts in your bag or that tasty fruit salad you prepared on Sunday. You do not need that chocolate bar!!

What to do in 3 steps…

1. PLAN YOUR PREP

Grab a piece of paper and jot down a weekly food plan for your Monday to Friday week. Use this as a checklist so you only buy what you need. Then get cooking, chopping, slicing ready for the week ahead.

2. PLAN YOUR PREP DAY

Personally, I enjoy doing it on a Sunday night. That way, I’m ready for the week ahead.

3. WHAT TO PREP

You want to focus on the meal you eat while you’re at uni…lunch. This is the one that catches you out daily, dragging you over to the canteen. You should try to mix and match your carbs, protein and healthy fats within your chosen midday meal. A favourite of mine is chicken seasoned chicken with Mediterranean cous cous, peppers and tomatoes. This is usually paired with a 3pm snack of nuts and a colourful fruit salad.

Need some ideas for a satisfying and healthy lunch?

How about?

• Mason Jar Salads 

Mix and protein with salad, dressing and maybe a sprinkle of feta and bung the lot into a jar, just like this.

• Mozzarella, Tomato and Spinach Pasta, yum!

• Chickpea and Feta Salad (you could also use a mason jar).

• Soup – Blend those left over veggies!! (We hate food waste)

• Noodles with a dressing, protein and more veggies.

• Sweet Potato and Quinoa salad (add chicken if you’re bulking)

Ever thought of prepping your breakfast? Well if you’re a smoothie lover, try this simple tip!

You’ve just woke up, its 8:45am and your lecture starts in just 15 minutes. Don’t you wish your smoothie was just sat waiting for you, rather than chopping up all that fruit? Try this out.

Prep your smoothie, chop those strawberries, raspberries, blueberries…but don’t just use fruit, add things things like kale, beetroot and spinach too, bung them in a freezer bag in your freezer draw. When you wake up in the morning, grab your prepped fruit and stick it in the blender with some Greek yogurt and fresh juice (just the fruit, not the freezer bag!) then you’re good to go!

3 Steps to a healthier 2017

With the New Year, brings the usual mantra of ‘New Year, new me’. The following weeks are filled with over exulted expectation and ambition resulting in the inevitable crash and burn. Familiar….? I thought so…

Consider this; if challenged to lift twice your bodyweight with little or no training you’d most likely fail, wouldn’t you? Lifting more than your body can manage is akin to the type of diet and exercise resolutions that thousands of people will have made across the country this week. Goals like ‘I won’t eat any junk food this year’ or ‘I will work out for an hour a day 7 days a week’ are simply too much too soon! Now, look at the alternative using the same analogy, if you slowly began to increase the amount you lift by 2 pounds a week, eventually you would be able to lift twice your bodyweight. It may take a considerable amount of time but the idea is that this method is sustainable. Get the idea?

Let’s apply this theory to the resolutions. If you were asked to choose just one day a week on which you must adhere to a plan; e.g. eliminating junk food and/or performing an exercise routine, then this seems much less intimidating and is therefore much more manageable. The benefit of this approach is that is creates habits. Reflex is when you perform something without having to apply your mind and the benefit of habits is that they follow the same principle and simply become part of your day/week. Instead of consciously telling yourself to follow a plan, you just do it. Then you can begin to slowly increase the number of healthy meals and days on which you follow the plan until the shift is towards more healthy meals and exercise and less junk.

Ok, so let’s start with

step 1: Choosing the plan to follow

Although many similar pieces will have been written, most will suggest the ‘perfect’ plan. The problem with this is that everybody is unique and what works for one doesn’t work for another. Some opt for vegetarian, others low carb or high fat or maybe even something a little more exotic. Some may prefer to make gradual changes by swapping white rice and pasta for wholegrain or trying to incorporate one or two extra vegetables into their evening meal. The bottom line is that regardless of what it is, find a plan which works for you and execute it to the best of your ability. The only point that must be stressed is that you must follow a food plan that is sustainable, crash diets won’t work here because the aim of this piece is to give you an opportunity to achieve and maintain your goals.

Step 2: Exercise

SMART targets are key here. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time – bound. Firstly, your exercise must be specific to your goal; if you want to run a marathon as your resolution, lifting weights alone won’t get you there, you need to tailor the plan to your goals. Next is measurable. The biggest rush you will experience is smashing through the victory point of your target. Now, if you set yourself the aim of ‘I will run a 5k faster’ this isn’t measurable as what is classed as faster?

A minute off your previous best time? 5 minutes? You need to set a specific target against which you can measure your performance e.g. I will run a 5k in under 25 minutes. For the achievable part of a SMART target motivation plays a big part. If it isn’t achievable you set yourself up for failure, choose something that isn’t out of your reach. For realistic targets a strict rule must be followed, is it possible? If you had arthritis in your knees, running a marathon would not be realistic but swimming 50 lengths of the pool at local leisure centre could be. Finally, by keeping your goals within a time frame it provides the push you require as if a goal follows all the other steps but is ignorant to time then how do you motivate yourself to get it done? it simply gets put off and is eventually forgotten about.

Step 3: Motivation

Motivation is the key factor between failure and success. If you aren’t motivated to stick to a health plan, then you aren’t going to. Luckily, there is advice that can be given. Firstly, nobody will do it for you, understand that. There is no easy way, no cheats or shortcuts, nor should there be; this is the main reason why when you reach your goal it will feel all that bit better. It will be testing and there will be moments of weakness, the only thing you can do is remember why you are doing it and carry on. Leave notes to yourself on the fridge, a picture of someone in peak health on your mirror or anything that re-focus’ your mind on the task ahead. It’s all about learning not to expect too much too soon, the one thing that must be ingrained into the brain is this;

BE BETTER THAN YESTERDAY.

It’s not about tomorrow, or yesterday, it’s about now, this moment. Challenge yourself and watch as you reach, succeed and achieve.

Written by: Jacob Edwards

 

#takethechallenge2017

 

Want more foodie tips, tricks and nutritional advice? Find out more about our latest adventures in food at @MetMUnch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Here at MetMUnch HQ, we love Christmas!

Family time, crisp winter walks, hot and yummy nutritious food and time to relax (we hope!).

As a busy first term draws to a close, we hope you’re all excited for all of these things and more. We decided to speak to some of our best MetMUnchers to find out what they’ll be doing, how they’ll be relaxing and with moderation in mind; how they’ll fit in those all-important fruits and veggies during a choccytastic festive period.

In this first festive edition of Spill The Beans we speak to first year Nutritional Sciences student and MetMUncher; Nicole.

Hi Nicole! Any tips for eating the recommended “5 a day” during the xmas period?

Hello! I would suggest to make it fun. Use Christmas flavours and spices and maybe make them into Christmas shapes, use snow man cutters to make sweet potato dippers, and be creative. Also, soup is great, a wide variety of vegetables can be used and it also keeps you warm over the winter.

Brussel sprouts! yay or nay?

Personally, I do not like Brussel sprouts but I will eat them because they are good for you and contain lots of nutrients. I may dislike them but I will try my best to eat them. I just cover them in gravy and have it with something I like to distract my taste buds. One day I may learn to love them but definitely a ‘nay’ for now.

How much chocolate is too much chocolate?

Everyone deserves to enjoy food. So if you have some chocolate do not feel guilty or disheartened. Be positive and understand that we sometimes need to treat ourselves. Dark chocolate is best and we are recommended to have 25g-30g a day. So, if you are partial to chocolate still have it but less often and try to switch to darker varieties over 70%.

What WILL we find in your xmas fridge?

Lots of winter vegetables and left-over turkey! Left-over meat is great for soups, salads and a hearty sandwich. Try not to waste the meat that you have spent hours roasting and preparing. You will also find an excess of milk as I love hot chocolates over the Christmas holidays.

What WON’T we find in your xmas fridge – and why?

Well, you normally won’t find sprouts… You also won’t find cheese. The worst thing for me at Christmas time is when my family bring out the cheese board and I have to leave the room because of the smell. I’m defiantly not a cheese person!

How do you normally relax during the xmas holidays?

I watch plenty of Christmas movies, my favourite is Elf. I love to bake. Christmas baking is fun and relaxing. I wouldn’t say that I am really a relaxed person though as Christmas is too exciting to be relaxed. I like to be busy and create things at Christmas time. I like to make handmade gifts and decorations.

How is your xmas veg normally cooked? – and why?

My nana cooks the family Christmas dinner. She is the best cook in the family. Her vegetables taste beautiful and are not cooked for too long. I swear there is a secret to her wonderful vegetables, one day I will have to find out!

Thank you so much, Nicole. We really want to try your nana’s yummy vegetables and well done for eating your nutritious sprouts!

It seems all our MetMunchers have such brilliant attitudes towards chocolate and moderation. We love it! Nicole is right, sometimes we just need to treat ourselves, free of guilt.

Want more foodie tips, tricks and nutritional advice?

Find out more about our latest adventures in food at @MetMUnch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Spill The Beans interviews by Sam Harrison

From Everyone at MetMUnch, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 

 

 

 

Here at MetMUnch HQ, we love Christmas!

Family time, crisp winter walks, hot and yummy nutritious food and time to relax (we hope!).

As a busy first term draws to a close, we hope you’re all excited for all of these things and more. We decided to speak to some of our best MetMUnchers to find out what they’ll be doing, how they’ll be relaxing and with moderation in mind; how they’ll fit in those all-important fruits and veggies during a choccytastic festive period.

In this first festive edition of Spill The Beans we speak to first year Nutritional Sciences student and MetMUncher; Jacob.

Hi Jacob! Any tips for eating the recommended “5 a day” during the xmas period? 

Hi! I’d say adding seasonal fruits like cranberries and clementines to your stuffing or cheeseboard is a good idea! Also making vegetable smoothies with added apple juice to sweeten. Yummy.

Brussels sprouts! yay or nay? 

Definitely yay! As unbelievable as it seems, I really do like the taste and they are packed with lots of valuable nutrients like vitamin K and vitamin C.

How much chocolate is too much chocolate?

 

Chocolate is there to be enjoyed and if you have the discipline (I don’t) to limit yourself to the occasional bar, you will enjoy it even more. Dark chocolate is a good alternative to milk chocolate.

What WILL we find in your xmas fridge?

 

All the usual plus special treats like smoked salmon for brunch on Christmas morning and a seafood platter for New Year’s Eve.

What WON’T we find in your xmas fridge – and why?

Alcohol or anything high sugar that exercise can’t justify.

How do you normally relax during the xmas holidays?

I normally watch films, catch up with family and friends and go for long walks with my husky, Genghis.

How is your xmas veg normally cooked? – and why?

 

For too long and with too much salt because my grandma makes it (sorry grandma!).

Thank you Jacob! Some great festive tips and tricks there! It seems the much divisive brussels sprout is a winner in Jacob’s eyes. We wonder if Genghis the dog likes them?

We’ll be back soon with another festive foodie genius and we’ll be asking them to spill the beans!

Want more foodie tips, tricks and nutritional advice? Find out more about our latest adventures in food at @MetMUnch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Spill The Beans interviews by Sam Harrison

From Everyone at MetMUnch, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 

 

 

 

 

 

Here at MetMUnch HQ, we love Christmas! 

Family time, crisp winter walks, hot and yummy nutritious food and time to relax (we hope!).

As a busy first term has drawn to a close, we hope you’re all excited for all of these things and more. We decided to speak to some of our best MetMUnchers to find out what they’ll be doing, how they’ll be relaxing and with moderation in mind; how they’ll fit in those all-important fruits and veggies during a choccytastic festive period.

In this first festive edition of Spill The Beans we speak to first year Nutritional Sciences student and MetMUncher; Rebecca…

Hi Rebecca! Any tips for eating the recommended “5 a day” during the xmas period?

 

 

 

Hi! There’s fruit and veg everywhere at Christmas, a lot of it is lovely and seasonal too. Chop it up, pop it in the fridge, and eat it as a snack through the day. If there’s any left, making a warm winter soup is brilliant! It’s so easy and tasty.

Brussels sprouts! yay or nay?

It’s a yes from me. Most certainly.

 

 

How much chocolate is too much chocolate?

If you’re having a selection box per day, you may be going a bit too far. However, I don’t see there being any problem with a small bar or a few miniatures in the day- just balance it out with your veggies and fruit!

 

 

What WILL we find in your xmas fridge?

 Brussels sprouts! And brandy cream for my mince pies. You will also find copious amounts of cheese in my fridge. 

What WON’T we find in your xmas fridge – and why?

Christmas pudding, I just can’t get on with it.

 

How do you normally relax during the xmas holidays?

If it is a clear day, I really enjoy a walk through the forest of my hometown and I catch up with friends. On a wet, cold day I just want warmth and a good book.

 

 

How is your xmas veg normally cooked? – and why?

Mostly roasted, it is easier to cook it all together and I can use the turkey juices to add flavour! – Except, the cauliflower cheese of course!

 

 

MetMUnch knows it can be tricky to strike a good balance between your studies, money and feeding yourself.

With this is mind, we decided to speak to some of nutrition’s future superstars to spill the beans on their food habits, tips and tricks!

In this issue of Spill the beans we speak to third year Nutritional Sciences student; Keli…

 Hi! What do you love about food?

Hello. Well, I love the fact you can be adventurous with different flavours and fusions. Also, I believe being creative with food is one of the best ways to stay on track with healthy eating. It keeps things interesting.

How do you fuel yourself before a day at uni?

Overnight oats with Chia seeds keeps me energised until lunchtime. Sometimes I’ll have almond yoghurt and berries or a homemade smoothie with either coconut water, pear, spinach and oats or coconut milk, nut butter, oat bran and fruit. Yum.

 What’s your go-to healthy snack when at uni?

I really enjoy homemade energy balls from Deliciously Ella or just fruit, nice and simple. If I haven’t come prepared, I’ll just grab a Naked bar from the canteen.

 

What WILL we find in your fridge?

Lots of fruit and veg. Tofu, salmon, prawns. Feta cheese, eggs, salad leaves, spinach, beetroot, avocado, hummus, soya milk, coconut water, butter, olives, chicken, yoghurt. chilli, coriander, purée and chilli sauce.

What WON’T we find in your fridge ­ and why?

Processed ready meals as they are full of rubbish and bad for you. I love to make my own dishes so I know exactly what’s in them. Coca – cola!! I hate it with a passion and I refer to it as drain- cleaner! It has no benefit or purpose whatsoever.

 

What three food essentials can you never do without?

Fruit and veg. My fridge is always stocked up. Also, a variety of herbs and spices –  especially garlic, coriander and chilli.

What is your best piece of advice for food shopping on a budget?

Shop local to get fresh produce and support smaller businesses. Meal planning in advance is important to save money and always prep your food, so you have more time to relax after a day at university. I normally prepare on a Sunday ready for the week ahead.

 

Thank you so much, Keli! We agree that meal planning/prepping can be a life saver. Not only does it curb spontaneous spending, but allows more free time to chill out at the end of the day.

 

See you again soon for more spilling of the beans with our amazing nutrition megastars!

Want more foodie tips, tricks and nutritional advice? MetMUnch.com is full of recipes just for students. Find out more about our latest adventures in food at @MetMUnch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

And that’s not all! Want a free recipe book of our favourite meals? Sign up to MetMUnch’s monthly mailing list and get a free eCookbook of student-friendly recipes.

Spill The Beans interviews by Sam Harrison.

MetMUnch knows it can be tricky to strike a good balance between your studies, money and feeding yourself what you need to shine.

The start of the academic year is an exciting and chaotic time, but it can also be the perfect chance to form new habits – which will hopefully leave you with a healthy body, brain and bank balance.

With this is mind, we decided to speak to some of nutrition’s future superstars to spill the beans on their food habits, tips and tricks!

In this issue of Spill the beans Sam Harrison spoke to MetMUncher and third year Nutritional Sciences student; Emma…

 

 

Hi, Emma! What do you love about food?

 

Howdy! Food is so versatile. Once you learn how to cook, you can be as creative as you please with dishes and your taste buds, and you can explore different delicacies and cultures out there. Food is a great social aspect too,­ going for meals with your friends, discovering different places and even hosting your own version of Come Dine with Me if you’re having a night in.

How do you fuel yourself before a day at uni?

 

I am a bit of a coffee addict, so I always have a latte at hand before those 9am starts. I usually have porridge with a mashed banana for breakfast ­ it takes two minutes to make in the microwave, or if I have a later start, mushrooms on toast is my favourite. I make sure I always drink plenty of water before I start my day as well.

What’s your go to healthy snack when at uni?

 

I usually buy my snacks at uni. I generally purchase one of the many flavours of propercorn popcorn (sweet and salted is my favourite), as its super easy and tasty, but I often go for granola bars or just a piece of fruit too.

What WILL we find in your fridge?

I stock the basic essentials: milk, yoghurt, cheese, fruit and vegetables. I buy products I can use for several different meals, such as peppers or carrots, and freeze them if I can’t use them all up in time. You’ll probably find the odd naughty snack lurking in the back too (Tesco’s 31p garlic bread, cough cough).

 

What WON’T we find in your fridge ­and why?

Ready meals! They’re so bad for you, a waste of money and take up so much room, especially when you have a tiny fridge between four of you. I don’t usually have meat either ­ if I do purchase it, I buy it on offer and freeze singular portions, or just eat Quorn options instead.

What three food essentials can you never do without?

 

Chopped tomatoes are a life saver at uni. They last forever, they’re super cheap and easy to store. I make breakfasts, pasta sauces, curries and even pizza from them. I also keep a few different spices in my cupboards, as they can bring to life even the most bland of meals. However, potatoes are my number one essential: mash, roasties, jackets, wedges, the list goes on. I can make so many different meals from just one food item.

 

What is your best piece of advice for food shopping on a budget?

 

Don’t buy brands! Most of the time, branded and unbranded products are exactly the same, except for the packaging and marketing behind it. Unless they¹re on offer (aka, when Ben & Jerry’s is half price), avoid them if you can. Also, try not to buy massive food shops, sell by dates are a real thing, that gem lettuce won’t last forever.

Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom, Emma! We understand the need for a coffee in the morning, and we love your idea of sharing food with friends in your very own Come Dine with Me! As Emma states, a cheap item, such as chopped tomatoes, can go such a long way if you’re feeling creative!

MetMUnch hopes our wonderful interviewee students have helped the transition to university life!

 

Want more foodie tips, tricks and nutritional advice? MetMUnch.com is full of recipes just for students. Find out more about our latest adventures in food at @MetMUnch on Twitter,Facebook, and Instagram.

And that’s not all! Want a free recipe book of our favourite meals? Sign up to MetMUnch’s monthly mailing list and get a free eCookbook of student-friendly recipes.

Spill The Beans interviews by Sam Harrison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MetMUnch know it can be tricky to strike a good balance between your studies, money,  feeding yourself and what you need to shine.

The start of the academic year is an exciting and chaotic time, but it can also be the perfect chance to form new habits – which will hopefully leave you with a healthy body, brain and bank balance.

With this is mind, we decided to speak to some of nutrition’s future superstars to spill the beans on their food habits, tips and tricks!

In this issue of Spill The Beans MetMUncher Sam Harrison spoke to third year Nutritional Sciences student, Charlotte …

 

Hi,Charlotte! What do you love about food?

Hello. I love how it brings people together at occasions like Christmas and birthdays and how much you can brighten up someone’s day with cake!

 

How do you fuel yourself before a day at uni?

 

I usually hit the gym before uni so it’s not uncommon for me to have two breakfasts! Oats, eggs, whey protein, yoghurt and bananas are all on the menu.

My favourite breakfast at the moment is proats (protein oats) made with oats, grated courgette (trust me, it adds loads of volume) and whey protein.

 

What’s your go to healthy snack when at uni?

 

Probably apples, rice cakes, cottage cheese or roast chicken.

 

What WILL we find in your fridge?

Loads of vegetables, cottage cheese, hummus, chicken, turkey, fish, Greek yoghurt and all of my meal prep for the next couple of days so baked sweet potatoes are usually there too. I will probably have hazelnut milk and beetroot in too which are my current obsessions

What WON’T we find in your fridge – and why?

There aren’t many foods that I don’t like or won’t eat but I never have ready meals in the fridge. They’re really expensive and never taste that nice. I love dessert but I try not to keep any in the fridge too often because I know it’ll disappear all at once if I do!

 

What three food essentials can you never do without?

My spiralizer for making courgette and carrot noodles, soup because you can literally make anything in to soup and it’ll taste good and artisan bread. You can dunk it in your soup, make it in to awesome sandwiches and who doesn’t love toast!

What is your best piece of advice for food shopping on a budget?

 

Load up on seasonal veggies which are cheap and cheerful. Cabbage isn’t sexy but it’s usually pretty cheap and full of nutrients! Veggies are great for bulking out meals, as are staples like rice, pasta and potatoes. Cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thighs and braising steak can make great stews and will feed the whole house or can be frozen and provide several meals.

Get a job as a barista so that you rarely have to pay for good coffee.

We will be back soon with more inspiring tips from our fabulous food fanatics, where we’ll be asking them to spill the beans.

 

Want more foodie tips, tricks and nutritional advice? MetMUnch.com is full of recipes just for students. Find out more about our latest adventures in food at @MetMUnch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

And that’s not all! Want a free recipe book of our favourite meals? Sign up to MetMUnch’s monthly mailing list and get a free eCookbook of student-friendly recipes.

Spill The Beans interviews by Sam Harrison.

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th March, MetMunch have teamed up with MMU Engage and asked some of the most inspirational women at Manchester Met to participate in our Women In Focus project.

The name has been chosen to tie in with the World Food Programme’s Focus On Women initiative, which looks at how food issues and shortages affect women globally: http://www.wfp.org/focus-on-women

We asked each participant for their favourite recipe and will hold a vote on @MetMUnch on 7th March to find out which is your favourite. All recipes will be hosted here on MetMUnch.com, and you can share your own recipes and photos with us using the hashtag #MMUWomenInFocus

Check out our MMU Women In Focus recipes here.