Stars cook up a storm for children's health

UEFA and the World Heart Federation have launched a cookery book with the support of the European Union, with 13 top players contributing to Eat for Goals! to underline that healthy food is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Role models
Top stars like Miroslav Klose, Steven Gerrard, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Birgit Prinz have contributed favourite recipes and dietary advice to the book, which it is hoped will encourage children to take care over what they eat. "Eat for Goals! is about good food, cooking and football," said FC Bayern München striker Klose, while Liverpool FC captain Gerrard said that it "shows young players and lovers of football how to cook and eat like champions".

UEFA pledge
Eat for Goals! was created for children aged five to eleven, and has been published in English, French and German by Falkemedia. The hardback costs €12.90 and is available in bookshops throughout Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Copies can be ordered online at www.falkemedia-shop.de. €1 for each book sold will go to the World Heart Federation's programmes promoting an active lifestyle for children.

Good example
"The world of football has long inspired people of any age and gender to exercise. It has now set out to inspire them to eat well too," said UEFA director of communications and public affairs William Gaillard. Real Madrid CF striker Ruud van Nistelrooy added: "It's vital that children have a healthy lifestyle based on healthy food and exercise. I'm looking forward to cooking the recipes in Eat for Goals! with my children when they're older."

Football appeal
World Heart Federation president Professor Pekka Puska said: "Twenty per cent of all European children are currently overweight, showing how important initiatives such as Eat for Goals! are as they encourage healthy nutrition and active lifestyles to children and their parents in a fun and inspirational way." European Commissioner for Health Androulla Vassiliou added: "Eat for Goals! gives the European Commission an excellent opportunity to offer practical support to its White Paper on Health by reaching a wide audience through football, one of Europe's most popular social activities."