The recommended portion size for cheese has caused a huge amount of upset this week, because what TF is this?!
Bupa, a private healthcare company, shared a series of photos showing what the correct amount of cheese you should be eating is.
And contrary to what actually goes on in my kitchen, the recommended amount is a measly 30g.
Bupa says you should be eating only enough grated cheese that would fit in a matchbox. A matchbox!!
The healthcare provider also shared what looks like a ‘normal’ portion size, which is about enough to cover a jacket potato, and apparently way too much cheese.
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As a nation of cheese-lovers, the internet has responded swiftly and unhappily to the suggestion that they should cut their portions down so much.
Birria Bros tacosBunsik in ManchesterBupa has shared the recommended portion size for cheese (spoiler: it is not this)
One person wrote on X: “I don’t need this level of negativity in my life, Bupa.”
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Another commented: “The 2nd photo is the amount of cheese you eat whilst grating yourself the first portion size.”
Someone else wrote: “Image 1) Human serving of cheese. Image 2) Cheese tax to pay the cat or dog.”
Another comment reads: “Dear Bupa. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but – f-absolutely-off…”
And one person said: “My god, let’s us f**king LIVE.”
Bupa has shared a list of the recommended portion sizes for a range of food groups too, including pasta (two to three tablespoons), bread (one slice) and meat (the size of a deck of cards).
Lead Dietitian, Niamh Hennessy said: “A healthy, balanced diet means having the right types of food and drink. Eating too much or too little of any of the major food groups can be bad for your health. So, you need to make sure you’re getting the right amounts.”
Bupa wrote: “Can’t imagine a world without cheese? You’d be surprised to find out the recommended portion sizes! Brace yourself and swipe right. Portion sizes may vary depending on individual circumstances.”
Respectfully, Bupa – I will not be listening to you on this one.
Irish Festival Village returns to Manchester with live music, fry-up pizzas and loads of Guinness
Daisy Jackson
A huge Irish Festival Village has returned to Manchester city centre today to kick off the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Over the coming 10 days, there’ll be live Irish music, street food, retail stalls and – of course – plenty of Guinness flowing.
The main event is now open at St Ann’s Square, where a gigantic marquee festooned in green, white and orange has been installed.
Inside here, the bar is being run by the O’Shea’s team, and the stage will host loads of live music and great craic.
Outside you’ll find Birchwood Pizza, who have got a menu of pizzas inspired by the Emerald Isle.
Pizzas include the What’s the Craic (a fry-up pizza with white pudding and Dubliner sausage) to The Black Stuff (black pudding, rosemary potato and streaky pudding).
The Irish Festival Village has opened as part of the wider Manchester Irish Festival celebrations across Greater Manchester.
The Irish Festival Village is back in ManchesterIrish pizzas at the Festival Village on St Ann’s SquareYou can shop Irish treats outside
There’ll also be a Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday 16 March, which will weave its way from the Irish World Heritage Centre all the way onto Deansgate.
The parade will showcase and champion local groups and organisations such as GAA clubs, Irish dance classes, marching bands, and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland.
And it handily winds up around King Street, just beside the Irish Festival Village.
The gathering spot will be open from Friday 7 March all the way through to St Patrick’s Day itself – find out more HERE.
There’s a bakery in Manchester where you can decorate your own adorable tiny bento cake
Daisy Jackson
We’ve found a wholesome activity that’ll suit even the most cack-handed of bakers – a workshop where you can decorate your own miniature bento cake.
This Manchester activity has shot to the top of our list of our favourite things to do locally, perfect for a hen do, a birthday, a mate date or a date date.
Bento cakes, or lunchbox cakes, have all the elaborate decorations of a full celebration cake but made miniature, for a treat that doesn’t have to be shared out to dozens of people.
From swirls of buttercream frosting to pretty piped love hearts to cursive writing atop your cake, there are loads of decorations you can add to your own creation.
At Vanilla Ice Cakes in Chorlton, you’ll sit under the expert eye of owner Fiza, a master baker who’s been in the game for more than a decade.
She’ll guide you (and sometimes step in to help you) as you fumble your way through decorating your own cake.
As you arrive for your workshop you’re presented with two adorable vanilla sponge cakes, a classic base for a proper Victoria sponge or a more elaborate celebration cake.
Other cakes at Vanilla Ice CakesYou can mix up your own buttercream icingMaster baker Fiza at work at the bento cake workshopThe bento cake workshop space in ManchesterOne of our creations at the bento cake workshop in Chorlton, Manchester
Each class includes hot drinks, plus a plate full of Vanilla Ice Cakes’ delicious brownie bites.
From here, you’re taught the basics of piping, building a buttercream ‘dam’ before spooning in a filling of choice – jam, Nutella or Lotus Biscoff.
After applying a crumb coat (Great British Bake Off fans will already be on the right page here), the real fun begins.
Fiza will help you to whip up a smooth buttercream in whichever colour you wish, before letting you run riot with a piping bag.
You’ll practice swirls, rosettes, hearts, and even writing in icing ahead of decorating your actual cake.
You can see how we got on below, then book your own spot HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
5th April 2024 
