Healthy advice all year round

Tuesday 18 December 2007

The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) is helping people to kick start 2008 with its eatwell calendar, which is packed full of advice and tips for making healthy food choices for all the family.

Celebrity chefs Jenny Bristow and Sean Owens have provided tasty recipes for the calendar, which is crammed full of handy tips and advice on healthy eating. From BBQ hints to inspiring lunchbox suggestions, each month gives fresh ideas for providing your family with a healthy balanced diet.

Maria Jennings, Head of Consumer Choice at FSANI says: 'Based on the success of the 2006 and 2007 calendars for the over 60’s, we decided this year to expand our advice and produce a calendar which everyone can use, young and old. Each month has a different theme, from February’s information on shopping tips and cooking skills, June’s good food hygiene advice to November’s winter warmer tips, there’s something on each page for everyone.

'We are delighted to be supported by two great ambassadors for food, TV’s Jenny Bristow and Sean Owens, Chef Patron from Gardiners Restaurant Magherafelt. Jenny and Sean have worked with us several times in the past and the recipes they have included in the calendar are both delicious and easy to make.

'As well as receiving the calendar, inside each one will be a copy of our brand new booklet on the Food Standards Agency traffic light labelling scheme, which you can use to help make healthier choices for your family. It’s a little handy sized book which fits neatly into a handbag or pocket – great for pulling out at the supermarket when you're doing your grocery shopping.'

The calendar is available to download as a pdf at the link below.

Month by month themes are as follows:

• January – New Year resolutions and the eatwell plate model
• February – Shopping tips and cooking skills
• March - Traffic light labelling
• April – Healthier fast food options
• May – Five-a-day
• June – The 4C’s – food hygiene advice
• July – BBQ and picnics
• August – Fending for yourself
• September – Lunchbox ideas
• October – Fishtastic – advice on eating more fish
• November – Winter warmer ideas
• December – Eatwell Christmas

For media enquiries and interview bids, contact Alison Gowdy on 028 9041 7757 or Elaine Donaghy on 028 9041 7743