Bord Bia has launched a new campaign to encourage people to cook quick and easy main meals using eggs and other fresh ingredients. The campaign includes a free Meal Planner and Recipe Booklet which has been endorsed by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Practice Nurses Association. The planner will be available through GP practices. The campaign also includes outdoor advertising to raise awareness that an egg a day is ok.
The Health Promotion Unit at the Department of Health and Children recommend that healthy individuals can eat up to seven eggs a week and, in its 2007 nutrition policy, The Irish Heart Foundation recommends that those on a cholesterol lowering diet can have four to six eggs a week. Recent research carried out for Bord Bia by Millward Brown IMS shows that over 70% of those surveyed believe that eggs are very versatile and easy to cook but many are confused about the amount of eggs they should eat.
In 2006, Irish consumers bought 5% more eggs in retail outlets compared with the previous year according to TNS MRBI. Retail sales increased to €55 million due to more people buying eggs on a more regular basis. 93% of households buy eggs every fortnight on average. Non free range eggs account for nearly half of retail sales while sales of free range eggs continue to grow at the relatively higher rate of 12%. 18 pack eggs is the strongest growing pack size in the market.
The new Bord Bia meal planner booklet was compiled by leading consultant dietician Paula Mee who commenting at the launch said, "Research shows that people are rapidly losing their cooking skills as they become more time-starved and increasingly reliant on meals prepared outside the home. People can easily take more control over their diet by making their own food at home. Eggs are high in protein and vitamins A, B, D and E and provide a good source of iron, zinc, selenium and phosphorus. Often food that is good for us tastes good too and many meals such as a frittata or a substantial omelette can be cooked in minutes. I suggest stocking up on foods which don't take much preparation, but which deliver far more satisfaction in terms of appetite and keep us going for long periods of time between meals. A little planning and thought will allow you to cook your own meal in minutes using fresh ingredients".
Paula Mee continued "Many people will be surprised to learn that two thirds of the fat found in eggs is the healthy unsaturated kind. In fact the main fat found in eggs is "monounsaturated", which has the capacity to lower LDL cholesterol (the bad type) and raise HDL cholesterol (the protective type). So we can still enjoy 4-6 eggs a week as part of a cholesterol lowering diet".
"Easter is the perfect time to remind people that they should include eggs in their diet on a regular basis," said Teresa Brophy, Ireland Manager at Bord Bia "Research carried out by TNS and Millward Brown IMS found that people are eating more eggs and know they are very easy to cook and versatile. The research also found that younger people are buying eggs regularly. However people living in Ireland eat far less eggs than most of our European neighbours and many have misconceptions about the healthiness of eggs. We are delighted that the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Practice Nurses Association have endorsed the new food planner. The aim of this campaign is to let people know that eggs are packed with goodness and they have an important role to play in our hectic lifestyles as nature's original convenience food".
The Bord Bia Food Planner will be available through GP practices and is also available free of charge by sending a large stamped addressed envelope to Meal Planner, Bord Bia, Clanwilliam Court, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.