Nutrition - Kelkin, makes the healthy choice, the easy choice!

Nutritional Classes

Kelkin Nutritional Classes were initially set up to help consumers understand what is important in reading food labels. Due to the successful attendance at these classes we extended the range of topics to include other items that we felt would be of interest to our consumers. If you have any questions you would like to ask our nutritionist, you can email Aveen at nutritionalclasses@kelkin.ie

Kelkin's Next Nutritional Class

Previous Classes

Street Performance World Championship, Cork - June 2011

Kelkin's Healthy Eating & Living Roadshow will be in Cork for the Street Performance World Championship from 11-12th June. This event brings 16 of the world's most talented street artists and is set to be a great weekend! Entry is free and there is lots of fun for all the family. Make sure to pop along and take Kelkin's FREE 3 minute Health Check to be in with a chance to win a fantastic 'Healthy' hamper containing lots of healthy food and vitamin products! Kelkin, makes the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice!

Triathlon Training & Nutrition - The talk will take place at the Adventure Show, RDS, Dublin - Friday May 20th, 2:30-3:15pm 2011

The talk will be given by Aveen Bannon, Consultant Nutritionist to Kelkin, Aveen will cover topics from which food groups are most important in training, to pre-and post-training meals and of course the importance of hydration and sport. She will give concise information that is practical and easy to implement and a dietary plan that will get the most out of your performance. Regular physical activity does wonders for your health, energy, shape and mood. The food we eat fuels exercise and getting the right balance can help give you the upper hand. Both athletes and non-athletes need the same nutrients...but they need to consume them in different quantities and proportions.

New Year... Fresh Start - January 2011

This class discussed the most popular new year resolutions people make every year; 1) lose weight, 2) Exercise more, 3) Eat better, 4) Drink less & 5) Improve finances. Aveen explained the first crucial step in setting goals is preparation and planning. She advised that if we plan to stick to our new year resolutions they need to be SMART: Specific, Manageable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Specific goals. Aveen also gave some great tips on how you can improve your diet with examples of healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Her top tips from the class included;

staying hydrated
aim to include 30 minutes of activity in your day
include lots of colourful fruits and vegetables in your diet and try to get your daily five a day
keep alcohol within sensible limits
aim to have 3-4 alcohol free days per week and try to match each glass of alcohol with a glass of water
choose high fibre carbohydrates in the diet and base each meal around them and most importantly enjoy food!

'Nutrition in Marathon Training - September 2010

This talk was an A-Z for people training for either the Dublin marathon in October or any distance running. Aveen highlighted the importance of hydrating properly and eating the correct foods in order to enhance your performance. Attendees were given a sample meal plan that took in the ideal amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates for your training. They were also given recipes to create their own sports drinks. We got some great feedback from this talk - good luck to all running in October!

Nutrition in a Woman's World - June 2010

This class focused on advising women how to achieve a balance between having a busy and demanding lifestyle and ensuring you maintain a healthy diet. Aveen explained the key nutrients for women's health, which include iron, calcium and folic acid and the best food sources for these nutrients. She also discussed Hormone Health, how to deal with PMS and the effects Menopause can have on the body. Aveen also gave some great tips on how you can improve your diet with examples of healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

'Our Guide to Healthy Eating & Living' - May 20th, 2009

Advice on practical, easy ways to ensure your diet is packed full of nutritional goodness. Kelkin will share simple dietary and lifestyle changes which can help overcome current nutritional issues such as, getting more vitamins into our diet and lowering our salt intake. Aveen Bannon will be on hand to answer your diet related questions and offer handy hints and tasty meal ideas!

Nutrition & a Healthy Heart - May 2009

This class dealt with the common risk factors and treatment of coronary heart disease. Aveen spoke about diet and lifestyle and how small changes to these can positively impact on heart health. We were delighted that a representative from the Irish Heart Foundation joined us and gave a very informative talk to attendees also.

'Nutrition & Osteoporosis' - October 2009

This talk covered topics such as the impact of diet & lifestyle on bone health, reducing risk of bone disease and what damaging habits to avoid. Michele O'Brien, a representative from the Irish Osteoporosis Society, also spoke about the risk factors of Osteoporosis, what action to take if you think you may be at risk and how to prevent developing Osteoporosis.

Nutrition & a Gluten Free Diet - March 2009

Aveen explained Coeliac Disease and its classical symptoms. She discussed it's diagnosis and treatment and the foods that are best avoided. We then looked at key nutrients to focus on like calcium, iron and B vitamins. Aveen then finished with some meal ideas and top tips for coeliacs to help make life a little easier. We also had a representative present from the Coeliac Society of Ireland who was happy to answer questions at the end of the class.

Food & Mood - January 2009

This was a follow up class to the one held in January 2008, which proved extremely popular. Aveen presented some expert advice on an uplifting healthy diet to help combat feelings of 'January blues', tiredness and mood swings. Patterns that may aggravate our moods include skipping meals, eating nutritionally unbalanced meals and cravings for sweets. Aveen shared some good tips to help change these patterns.

A Guide to Simple Healthy Shopping Choices - October 2008

The nutritional labels and ingredient lists found on packaged food products, provide us with a means for understanding what the product contains and the benefits, if any, which can be gained from consuming the product. By reading food labels we are able to select products that fulfill our individual dietary needs. Whether we are trying to loose weight, lower our cholesterol or avoid certain ingredients, food labels provide all the information we need to make the right choice. Many of us however do not understand the information or terms used on food labels. Kelkin consultant nutritionist, Aveen Bannon, spoke about how to get the most from your food shopping choices. The class provided advice on reading food labels and interpreting on-pack nutritional information. It also focused on getting the balance right when it comes to your shopping trolley, ensuring that a good mix of all food groups is always well represented.

Children and Nutrition - April 2008

It is now estimated 300,000 children in Ireland are obese. Recent studies on the increasing levels of childhood obesity in Ireland are cause for great concern yet these figures remain unchanged. Kelkin consultant nutritionist, Aveen Bannon addressed this national issue and advised on how we can change these statistics by changing our attitude. How does food affect your mood - January 2008 January is typically a month where people tend to feel down or 'not themselves' after the festive season of holidays and over indulgence. Patterns that may aggravate our moods include skipping meals, poor appetite, nutritionally unbalanced meals and cravings for sweets. Aveen presented some expert advice on an uplifting healthy diet to help combat these feelings of 'blue' and mood swings.

Putting health on your social calendar - Nov 2007

In advance of the festive party season! Aveen presented some expert advice to help us get through these busy months, covering energy boosters, healthy snacks, sensible alcohol intake and the all important nutritious comfort foods for optimum recovery.