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RECOMMENDED DAILY BREAKFASTS
NUTS AND ANAPHYLAXIS
LABELLING AND NUTRITION
SUGAR
GENERAL

Recommended Daily Breakfasts

Q. Why does Ferrero recommend that Nutella is eaten at breakfast?

A. Breakfast is a key moment for Nutella, as it represents a significant "share of calories" in the daily intake of a consumer, and a meal where the product fits perfectly. Nutella has a glycemic index of 33 which means it is a low GI food. Low GI foods help maintain energy and concentration levels longer. Two slices of high fibre white bread with 20grams of Nutella also has a low GI (GI = 47), and it provides around 14% of a person’s daily energy (kilojoule) and sugar needs.

As much as 25 percent of your daily energy should be consumed at breakfast time; therefore incorporating a balanced breakfast is important in everyone’s diet. An example of how Nutella can be incorporated into a balanced diet is by consuming a piece of fruit, a glass of reduced fat milk and two slices of high-fibre toast with 10g of Nutella on each, delivering 24 percent of your recommended daily energy needs.

Research shown that between five percent and 40 percent of children skip breakfast daily, and a recent report from NSW showing around 20 percent of boys and 25 percent of girls don’t eat breakfast every day. [1] Studies suggest that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are six times more likely to miss breakfast than students from higher socio-economic backgrounds. Considering this Ferrero sees that it is important to provide variety and choice and encourage more kids to eat breakfast daily.

Q. What are Nutella’s thoughts in regards to one in four children not eating breakfast?

A. We feel that it is important for children to have a healthy breakfast daily to help them maintain energy, concentration and give them fuel to last throughout the day. [2] [3] Studies have also found that children who consume breakfast are less likely to be overweight and have better nutrient intakes than breakfast skippers. [4] [5]

Research shows that eating food rich in carbohydrates is essential for good health. Some of the advantages of eating carbohydrate-rich foods such as high fibre breads, cereals, milk, yoghurt and fruit at breakfast include energy (carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy), concentration and alertness (carbohydrates are the brain’s only fuel source) and mood (there is evidence that supports eating carbohydrates can improve mood [6]-[7]). These are all important for growing bodies and to support learning and being active. Nutella therefore feels that it is important to ensure children have a healthy balanced breakfast every day.

Q. Why do you recommend people eat breakfast each day?

A. Research shows that breakfast as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle can positively impact children's health and wellbeing. [2] Children who consume breakfast are less likely to be overweight, consume less daily kilojoules overall and have improved concentration throughout the day. [2] [3]

People who skip breakfast have been shown to consume more energy, eat more kilojoules as fat and are more likely to be overweight compared to those that eat breakfast.4 Breakfast eaters have a diet lower in fat, higher in fibre and higher in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. [8]

Improving the breakfast eating habits of children and teenagers is important for good health, optimal mental and physical performance and for long-term establishment of healthy eating habits that assist weight control.

Q. What does Nutella recommend is a healthy balanced breakfast?

A. Nutella believes that it is important for children to have a healthy balanced breakfast to start the day, as research shows that breakfast as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle can positively impact children's health and wellbeing. [2]

Healthy breakfasts may include:

• Cereal – wholegrain and high fibre varieties are preferential over sugary or refined cereals
• Bread / Toast – wholegrain, high fibre choices such as whole meal, grainy and fruit breads
• Dairy – reduced-fat milk, yoghurt or cheese
• Fruit – whole fruit, tinned, dried or fruit juice
• Meats / protein sources – Eggs, baked beans, ham, fish such as mackerel and sardines
• Vegetables – such as mushrooms on toast or grilled vegetables served with eggs

Q. Can Nutella be a part of a healthy breakfast?

A. Yes, Ferrero recommends that Nutella be used to spread on white high fibre bread, and not eaten by itself to be part of a healthy breakfast. As indicated on our labels, 20grams is the serving size we recommend. We have worked with Accredited Practising Dieticians to show that Nutella can be eaten as part of a healthy balanced breakfast. As Nutella is classified as an occasional ‘extras’ food according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, we recommend it be eaten responsibly.

Including three main meals plus snacks daily in a healthy eating pattern means that breakfast should provide approximately one quarter of a person’s daily food intake. This means you should aim for a balanced breakfast to provide approximately 20-25% of your kilojoule, protein, fat, carbohydrate and sodium needs daily (20-25% Daily Intake).

Nuts and Anaphylaxis

Q. How many hazelnuts do the different jars contain?

A. The average hazelnut weight is 0.85g; 100g of Nutella contains approximately 13 hazelnuts.

So a container of:

• 220g: 33 hazelnuts
• 400g: 52 hazelnuts
• 750g: 97 hazelnuts

Q. If your child is allergic to peanuts will they also be allergic to hazelnuts?

A. Not all nut allergies are the same. Peanuts are grown underground and are classed as legumes, while hazelnuts are tree nuts as they grow on trees or bushes. People with peanut allergy may also be allergic to other nuts such as hazelnuts but this does not mean they definitely will be. The prevalence of hazelnut allergy in Australian children is estimated to be 0.18%, compared to 1.9% for peanut allergies. [9] In addition to this information, in 2006 Ferrero changed the ingredients of Nutella. Peanut oil is no longer used.

labelling and Nutrition

Q. What does Nutella have on their Nutritional labels?

A. The current label contains the following:

Ferrero is globally reviewing international requirements for %DI labelling and has committed to this form of labelling by the end of 2009.

Sugar

Q. How much sugar does Nutella contain?

A. Nutella contains 10.9 grams of sugar per 20 gram serve, which represents 12 percent of a person’s daily sugar needs. To help put this into context, a small apple contains 13grams of sugar (14 percent of daily sugar needs), and a glass of reduced fat milk contains 13.7grams of sugar (15 percent of daily sugar needs), however these foods contain natural forms of sugar. Other foods with added sugar like Nutella include jams, some peanut butters, and breakfast cereals.

NOTE: The carbohydrates provided by Nutella are sugars (approximately 5 percent of sugar is lactose from skim milk powder and 50 percent sucrose).

General

Q. How much energy does Nutella contain?

A. A 20 gram serve of Nutella contains 435 kilojoules (104 Calories), which provides just 5% of a person’s daily energy needs based on an 8700 kilojoule (2070 Calorie) eating plan. Energy is required by the body each day to perform its various functions, and is measured in kilojoules or Calories, which we get from all foods and drinks other than water. Excess energy consumed in the diet contributes to weight gain, so people who are watching what they eat or trying to lose weight should choose small portions of a range of foods and ensure they include plenty of regular exercise into their diets to balance their energy intake.

Q. Does Nutella have preservatives and artificial colours?

A. No. Nutella is free of preservatives and artificial colours.

Q. What quantity of cocoa is contained in each jar option?

A. One hundred grams of Nutella contains 7.4g of cocoa. Therefore:

• 220g: 16.5 g of cocoa
• 400g: 29.6 g of cocoa
• 750g: 55.5 g of cocoa

Q. What quantity of milk do the different jars contain?

A. Nutella contains 8.7% skim milk powder, which is used to help give it a smooth and creamy texture.

So in 100grams of Nutella you’d find 8.7grams of skim milk powder. In a 220gram jar of Nutella, there would be around 19grams of skim milk powder, in a 400gram jar of Nutella, there would be around 35grams of skim milk powder, and in a 750gram jar of Nutella, there would be around 65grams of skim milk powder.

Q. Can you eat Nutella at anytime of the day?

A. We recommend that Nutella is eaten as part of a healthy balanced breakfast that includes foods from the major food groups, like bread, cereal, milk and fruit. If your child is highly active, mentally and physically, a Nutella sandwich or Nutella on toast is another alternative to give them energy throughout the day.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommends all children and adolescents include foods from the major food groups (breads and cereals, vegetables, fruit, dairy and meat) daily to ensure nutritional adequacy. Small amounts of foods from the optional ‘extras’ food group are also allowed daily.

References

1. Red Cross. Across Australia: Good Start Breakfast Club. 2006.
2. Rampersaud GC, Pereira MA, Girard BL, Adams J, Metzl JD. Breakfast habits, nutritional status, body weight, and academic performance in children and adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc 2005;105:743-60; quiz 761-2.
3. Mahoney CR, Taylor HA, Kanarek RB, Samuel P. Effect of breakfast composition on cognitive processes in elementary school children. Physiol Behav 2005;85:635-45.
4. Cho S, Dietrich M, Brown CJ, Clark CA, Block G. The effect of breakfast type on total daily energy intake and body mass index: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). J Am Coll Nutr 2003;22:296-302.
5. Ruxton CH, Kirk TR. Breakfast: a review of associations with measures of dietary intake, physiology and biochemistry. Br J Nutr 1997;78:199-213.
6. Markus CR, Panhuysen G, Tuiten A, Koppeschaar H, Fekkes D, Peters ML. Does carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor food prevent a deterioration of mood and cognitive performance of stress-prone subjects when subjected to a stressful task? Appetite 1998;31:49-65.
7. Markus R, Panhuysen G, Tuiten A, Koppeschaar H. Effects of food on cortisol and mood in vulnerable subjects under controllable and uncontrollable stress. Physiol Behav 2000;70:333-42.
8. Schlundt DG, Hill JO, Sbrocco T, Pope-Cordle J, Sharp T. The role of breakfast in the treatment of obesity: a randomized clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;55:645-51.
9. Hill, D.J. et al. The frequency of food allergy in Australia and Asia. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 4, 101-110 (1197)