New research commissioned by the National Dairy Council has found that while most Irish adults value a healthy start to the day, convenience continues to strongly influence breakfast choices.
The survey of more than 1,000 Irish adults found that 84% say a healthy and balanced breakfast is important to them. However, 41% still typically choose carb-based options such as bread, toast, or pastries, with more nutrient-dense choices such as cereal with milk following behind.
Just over a quarter (26%) of respondents said convenience and practicality are their main priority when choosing breakfast, while only 4% opt for a traditional cooked breakfast. Nearly half (49%) eat cereal or granola with milk or yogurt, while 52% say they usually eat breakfast at the kitchen table compared with 11% who always eat it on the go.
The research was released alongside the launch of a new three-year partnership between the National Dairy Council and Sport Ireland Institute, Ireland’s national high-performance sport support centre for elite athletes, based on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown. The programme, “High-Performance Breakfast, Powered by Irish Dairy,” will provide a nutritious dairy-based breakfast for Ireland’s elite athletes, coaches, and support staff as they prepare for the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The partnership aims to highlight the role of dairy in supporting performance, muscle recovery after exercise, and overall health within a healthy, balanced diet.
Liam Harbison, Sport Ireland Institute Director, highlighted the importance of nutrition in elite sport. He said: “Elite performance starts long before the competition actually begins. What our high-performance athletes eat, when they eat it, and the quality of it makes a real difference at the highest level. We’re happy to partner with the National Dairy Council on this initiative, which puts first-class nutrition at the heart of daily preparation for Ireland’s best athletes, coaches, and support staff. As we continue to build toward the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, programmes like this are the kind of practical, evidence-based support that gives Irish sport a competitive edge.”
Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council, said: “We are very proud to support Irish Olympians and Paralympians on their journey to the LA 2028 Games through this new partnership with Sport Ireland Institute. This initiative reflects the National Dairy Council’s commitment to providing Ireland’s top athletes, coaches, and their teams with a nutritious, dairy-based breakfast to help support performance and recovery in the high-performance centre.”
She added: “Through this partnership, we are celebrating Ireland’s world-class, grass-fed dairy alongside the best of Irish sporting talent, bringing together elite nutrition and elite performance.”
Commenting on the research findings, Dr Mary Harrington, Senior Nutritionist at the National Dairy Council, said: “This research shows that Irish adults want a nutritious and balanced breakfast, but there is a gap between what people prioritise and what they choose in the morning. Irish dairy offers a simple and versatile way to add more nutritional value to breakfast. Whether it’s milk with cereal, yogurt with granola, or a glass of milk, dairy provides high-quality protein, calcium, and other important nutrients to help support a balanced start to the day.”
“Milk also plays a valuable role in muscle recovery after exercise. It is made up of approximately 87% water, but the remaining 13% contains electrolytes such as potassium, carbohydrate in the form of lactose, and high-quality protein including casein and whey, supporting the three key post-exercise needs often referred to as the "Three Rs” of sports nutrition: rehydrate, refuel, and repair.”
The research also found that among adults who exercise regularly, 79% reach for water after exercise, 16% choose electrolytes, 15% opt for tea, and just 10% choose milk or flavoured milk, despite its hydration and post-exercise muscle recovery benefits. Post-exercise, 95% of adults said rehydration was important, followed by muscle repair (85%) and refuelling (75%).
Double Olympic champion and three-time Olympic medallist rower, Paul O’Donovan, who joined the National Dairy Council at Sport Ireland Institute to mark the launch, said: “When you’re training at a high level, especially coming up to big competitions, it’s not just the sessions on the water that matter, the things around them make a difference too. Breakfast is one of those. You need something good to eat before the day gets going, and eating properly really helps with recovery and building strength – these are the things that give you the edge.”
“It’s great to see the National Dairy Council partnering with Sport Ireland Institute on this programme. Having a good breakfast available five days a week is a real support for athletes. We’re always trying to get the nutrition right, but we’re not always blessed with time. Dairy is something most of us know from everyday life, but it has a very practical role in sport too, particularly for energy, protein, and hydration.”
To learn more about the National Dairy Council and your daily dairy needs, visit www.ndc.ie.
