Food section: New healthy eating campaign, the search for Ireland’s Hottest Grill Master and a receipe for a summer fruit cocktail

New healthy eating campaign targets unhealthy ‘treats’

NEW research has revealed that families spent on average €160 on treat foods like crisps, chocolate and biscuits during April.

The START campaign from safefood, the HSE and Healthy Ireland is now encouraging parents to take a step towards a healthier family lifestyle by reducing the amount of treats they give their children.

Parents surveyed ahead of the campaign said they are aware that the amount of treats in their families’ diet has increased and would welcome advice on how they can reduce this.

The latest supermarket shopping data, analysed for the START campaign, reveals that families with children spent on average approximately €746 on take home groceries in the four weeks to 17 April 2022.

Of this, €159 (21 percent) was spent on foods like biscuits, crisps and chocolate; while €49 (6.6 percent) was spent on fruit and €37 (five percent) on vegetables.

This is an increase in spend on treats compared to previous campaign research, which showed that families spent on average 19 percent of their food budget on treat foods, 10 percent on fruit and seven percent on vegetables.

“We know that parents and guardians want to do their best, and find the practical tips and advice at makeastart.ie helpful,” Sarah O’Brien, National Lead for the HSE’s Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme said.

“However, we also know that the environment we live in makes it hard for parents and children to go easy on the treats.

“They are all around us and the food industry invests heavily in the marketing and promotion of these products on TV, online, in-store, in public spaces and more.

“While costs are rising for everyday foods like milk or bread, products like crisps and chocolate have not seen the same price increases.

“This can make it harder for families when they are trying to ensure their weekly shop contains the right balance of foods. So while we know it’s difficult, we’re encouraging families to talk about small changes they can make and to visit makeastart.ie for tips and advice.”

Latest data from the CSO shows that price increases for foods like crisps, confectionary and soft drinks ranged from 1.9 percent to 2.2 percent in the past 12 months. This compares with increases ranging from 0.3 percent for vegetables and 1.8 percent for fruit, 4.7 percent for meat, 8.1 percent for bread and 8.9 percent for milk.

Dr Aileen McGloin, Director of Nutrition with safefood, said parents know the impact that the past two years has had on their family’s life and the pressures that they face, especially with household food budgets tightening.

“Parents are trying to reduce treats but they need some support in achieving that; whether it’s advice on how to make a plan as a family to go easy on the treats; not buying as many when shopping; or guidance on how to talk to others in your family circle about offering smaller treats and not every day,” she continued.

“All families have different circumstances so it’s about choosing what works for you and your children and making a start with that to make healthier choices.”

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Dr Colman Noctor, said parents and guardians don’t want to be applauded for making the correct but difficult decision to reduce treats for their children.

“Approaching this as a family together and making sure your children understand why you are doing this, will make you far more likely to succeed,” he continued.

“This will also help form healthier eating habits to last a lifetime. If parents have a question on how they can get started, just head over to safefood and HSE’s Instagram”

The START campaign website at www.makeastart.ie includes practical advice and support on how to reduce treats, ideas for healthy snacks and advice from parenting experts.

Search on for Hottest Grill Master

CALLING all BBQ lovers!

ALDI is on a quest to find the kings and queens of the barbie, with one lucky winner set to be crowned Ireland’s Hottest Grill Master.

The supermarket chain has teamed up with chef, BBQ extraordinaire and fire cooking expert, John Relihan, for the competition.

Relihan started his culinary career as an apprentice of Jamie Oliver, working his way up to serve as top chef at Barbecoa, Oliver’s celebrated barbecue and steak restaurant in London.

Today, he is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s top pitmasters and is currently stationed at Pitt Bro’s Smoked Barbeque restaurant in Dublin.

The winner of Ireland’s Hottest Grill Master will win a €5,000 ALDI gift card for first prize, plus an ALDI Egg BBQ. Four lucky runners-up will get their hands on a €250 ALDI gift card and an ALDI summer hamper.

“I am a huge fan of ALDI’s Bord Bia Quality Assured meats and have been a customer for many years now,” said Relihan who is head judge for the competition.

“The quality of the meat speaks for itself, and it is 100 percent Irish which is very important to me. When the opportunity came about to partner with ALDI, I jumped at the chance to share my passion for grilling and BBQing.

“Over the course of the summer, I will share my top BBQ tips and recipes, and highlight my favourite meat cuts and BBQ essentials, and I’ll also take on the role of Head Judge for Ireland’s Hottest Grill Master competition.

“I look forward to reviewing the talent of applicants from around the country.”

Competition entries are open until July 5.

For more information see www.aldi.ie/hottest-grill-master.

Summer fruit cocktail

THE sun is shining, the weather’s getting warmer and the holidays are almost here to it’s time for fruity, summer, cocktails.

From Fruit Daiquiris to Frozen Margaritas, there’s nothing quite like lounging about in the back garden with a delicious cocktail close to hand.

Russell Hobbs have come up with a nice recipe that can be made using their Desire Jug Blender (RRP €59.99) but any good blender will do the job.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries, hulled & sliced
• 2 ounces rum
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• 1 cup ice
• Mint sprig & strawberry for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the strawberries, rum, lime juice, simple syrup and ice
2. Blend until smooth
3. Pour into a glass & garnish