Yoghurt takes centre stage to help kids digest healthy habits
Lakeside Primary learners were treated to a fun-filled session about gut health and nutrition when Danone launched its yoghurt-focused education roadshow.
The first Danone Nutrition Roadshow kicked off at Lakeside Primary School in Reiger Park on July 24.
It offered the young learners a fun and educational experience focused on the importance of healthy eating and gut health. At the heart of the roadshow was an engaging educational journey that traced the path of yoghurt “from farm to spoon to health”.
According to Leanne Kiezer, a registered dietician and the head of public affairs for Danone SA, the roadshow is part of Danone’s mission to deliver health through food.
“Our goal is to help children understand why they should eat a balanced diet, and why including yoghurt in that diet is important. Good health begins in the gut, and live cultures in yoghurt help support a healthy gut microbiome.”
The roadshow will reach over 24 000 learners across the country and has two main components: A live interactive skit that teaches children how yoghurt is made and its role in overall wellness, and a curriculum-aligned storybook designed for grades One to Three that explores the origins and benefits of yoghurt in a fun, accessible way. Each learner gets a copy to take home.
“Grades One to Three are a critical period for developing reading skills. We consulted teachers, and they emphasised the need for more curriculum-supportive materials. The storybook is our response to that,” said Kiezer.
“For learners in grades Four to Seven, the focus shifts to entertainment and memorable messaging. Since their reading skills are more advanced, we opted for a performance-based approach to make the information memorable.”
Also Read: Yoghurt reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes – says FDA
Why yoghurt?
Live cultures in yoghurt help the gut absorb nutrients more effectively. So it’s not just about what you eat, it’s about what your body can absorb. A healthy gut helps ensure that children get the full benefit of their diets. Many avoid yoghurt because they believe it will upset their stomachs. But what people don’t realise is that the live cultures in it break down most of the lactose. This makes yoghurt much easier to digest than milk, even for people who are lactose intolerant,” explained Kiezer.
Why Lakeside?
Kiezer said the decision to launch the campaign at Lakeside Primary was deliberate.
“Lakeside is a school of 1 600 learners that receives little external support, yet maintains high standards in areas like recycling, hygiene and community care. Their energy and commitment made them the perfect partner to kick off this campaign.”
Sadika Mayet, the deputy principal at Lakeside Primary, was grateful, “We thank Danone and the Pick n Pay School Club for giving our learners such a valuable session. They thoroughly enjoyed it, were engaged, learned a lot, and appreciated the yoghurt packs they received. We look forward to future collaborations.”
Also Read: Danone partners with Boksburg dairy farm to uplift community
