Health Gem

If you do one thing this week....get the college students cooking

Now the Leaving Cert results and CAO offers are out, thousands of students around the country will be steering their thoughts towards third-level education.

Going to college is an exciting experience, and it is often the first time that students truly have to fend for themselves.

So start the good habits early – if a loved one is heading off for further studies, do they know how to prepare healthy meals and snacks?

It doesn’t have to be all beans on toast: a few basic skills in the kitchen and a nudge in the right direction can mean the difference between enjoying the creativity of making your own meals and dialling for takeaway.

So why not encourage the future freshers to pick up tips from entertaining programmes such as Come Dine with Me, or maybe slip a straightforward Jamie Oliver book into their bag? Donal Skehan’s Kitchen Hero (book and TV series) is also a good option for those looking to impress fellow students with their culinary skills.