Danone launches in-store giveaways to celebrate brighter mornings
60% of Irish people agree that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day however one in four people say that they do not eat breakfast regularly1.To celebrate the brighter mornings, Kellie O’Connor, Nutritionist with Danone Ireland has developed some delicious healthy breakfast options to get you off to the right start and to coincide with the launch of Danone’s in-store daily hamper competitions, recipe leaflets and product tastings which are happening in a number of Dunnes Stores branches across the country.
“A healthy breakfast sets your mind and body at its optimum to face the day’s challenges, while also laying the foundations for long term health benefits” says Kellie O’Connor, Nutritionist with Danone Ireland. “Breakfast provides essential nutrients such as fibre, calcium and vitamin D, all of which are lacking in Irish diets2. Breaking the overnight fast and kick-starting your metabolism in the morning helps your body function properly and perform at its best throughout the day.”
Irish people’s breakfast habits have changed in recent years. Longer working hours and time starved days have meant that people are eating breakfast on the go rather than at home, and this can mean it proves difficult to maintain a healthy routine. Kellie says “the key to eating a healthy breakfast is planning ahead by keeping easy-to-prepare and healthy breakfast items on-hand. Plan a few extra minutes each morning to prepare and eat breakfast. The increased variety of breakfast foods available means we all have the choice to incorporate health and convenience into our early morning routine. A combination of dairy products such as yogurt and milk, wholegrains and some fruit are all you need to kickstart your day on a healthy note.”
Here are some of Kellie’s favourite breakfast ideas:
(All recipes serve 1 unless otherwise stated)
Probiotic Smoothie
For breakfast on the go!
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp porridge oats
- 1 generous spoonful of runny honey
- 1 x 100ml Danone Actimel – choose your favourite flavour
- 150ml low-fat milk
Put all the ingredients in a blender or in a jug if using a hand blender. Give it a quick whiz until smooth and enjoy
Creamy Cereal Crunch
- 30g wholegrain cereal e.g. bran/wheat flakes
- 1 x 125g pot Danone Activia Natural yogurt
- Large handful of blueberries
Mix together the granola and Danone Activia Natural yogurt in a bowl. Top with the blueberries and dig in!
Fruity Yogurt Muesli (contains nuts)
- 2 tbsp porridge oats, jumbo ones give a good texture
- 1 pot Danone Activia Fibres yogurt – choose your favourite flavour
- 1 small apple, grated
- Large handful of raspberries (use fresh or frozen)
- 1 tsp of chopped hazelnuts
Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy!
Minty Fruit Salad
This is a perfect finish to your breakfast after a bowl of wholegrain cereal with low-fat milk.
- 1 pear
- 2 kiwi
- 1 peach or nectarine
- Handful of strawberries
- Small handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1 x 100ml Danone Actimel – choose your favourite flavour
Wash the pear, peach or nectarine and strawberries. Peel the kiwi. Chop all the fruit into similar-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Sprinkle over the mint and pour over your favourite Danone Actimel.
Berry Pancakes
- A delicious brunch recipe for all the family!
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 x 120g pot Danone Activia Strawberry Cereals yogurt
- 180ml low-fat milk
- 150g self-raising flour
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- Cooking spray for frying
- Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, raspberries or sliced peaches and Activia Natural yogurt to serve
Mix together the beaten egg and the Danone Activia Strawberry Cereals yogurt, then stir in the milk, flour and maple syrup or honey. Mix until you have a smooth batter.
Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and spray lightly with cooking spray. Drop heaped tablespoons of batter into the pan, leaving plenty of space around each one. They should spread to about 6cm (21⁄2in) across. Cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly browned, then flip and cook for a further 1–2 minutes until browned on the other side and set in the centre.Keep this batch warm on a plate in the oven whilst you cook the rest of the pancakes.
Serve scattered with fruit and drizzled with Danone Activia Natural yogurt.
References
1. Nutrition and Health Foundation, 2011
2. IUNA National Nutrition Surveys, 2005-2011
In-store promotions will run in the following locations on the dates below:
30th& 31st March
Dunnes, Jetland Ennis road, Limerick
Dunnes, Blackpool, Cork
Dunnes, Newbridge, Kildare
Dunnes, Ballincollig, Cork
Dunnes, Kieran St, Kilkenny
Dunnes, Douglas Court, Cork
Dunnes, NCR, Tralee, Kerry
Dunnes, Ashbourne, Meath
Dunnes, Ballyvolane, Cork
Dunnes, Bishopstown, Cork
5th& 7th April (no activation on Good Friday)
Dunnes, Swords, Dublin
Dunnes, Ashleaf, Crumlin, Dublin
Dunnes, Scotch Hall, Drogheda, Co Louth
Dunnes, Knocknacarra, Galway
Dunnes, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Dunnes, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Dunnes, Redmond Square, Wexford