Key facts
- The National Dairy Council (NDC) and Sport Ireland Institute launched a three-year partnership.
- The partnership will provide a dairy-based breakfast program to Ireland's elite athletes.
- The program aims to support athletes preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- NDC CEO Emma Walls drew parallels between dairy farming and elite sports in pursuing 'marginal gains'.
- New NDC research indicates 84% of Irish adults value a healthy breakfast, but convenience is a major factor.
- 41% of surveyed adults opt for carbohydrate-based breakfasts, while 49% choose cereal/granola with milk/yogurt.
The National Dairy Council (NDC) and Sport Ireland Institute have launched a three-year partnership aimed at supporting Ireland's elite athletes. This collaboration will provide a dairy-based breakfast program to athletes, coaches, and support staff as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. NDC CEO Emma Walls emphasized the shared commitment to hard work, consistency, and achieving 'marginal gains' in both dairy farming and elite sports. She noted that while Ireland has natural advantages in dairy farming, it is the daily work of farmers that elevates its produce globally. The partnership launch coincided with new NDC research surveying over 1,000 Irish adults about breakfast habits. The survey found that 84% recognize the importance of a healthy breakfast, though convenience remains a significant factor. Carbohydrate-based options like bread and pastries were favored by 41%, while 49% chose cereal or granola with milk or yogurt. The program aims to showcase dairy products' role in performance, recovery, and overall health. Double Olympic champion Paul O'Donovan, from a farming background, endorsed the initiative, stressing breakfast's importance for energy, recovery, and strength. NDC senior nutritionist Dr. Mary Harrington elaborated on milk's nutritional benefits, including carbohydrates for refueling, fast and slow-release proteins for muscle recovery, and electrolytes for rehydration. Despite 95% acknowledging rehydration's importance, only 10% of regular exercisers chose milk as their preferred recovery drink, with water (79%) being the most common choice.