FC Barcelona, chef Ferran Adrià and doctor Valentí Fuster united to promote healthy eating

Barcelona (FCB).- In order to promote such aspects as healthy eating and regular exercise, the FC Barcelona Foundation has unveiled an awareness campaign titled ‘We are what we do, we are what we eat’ in collaboration with the Fundació Alícia and the Fundació SHE, the Catalan Government and different city halls, including that of Barcelona. ‘We are what we do, we are what we eat’ seeks to raise awareness among young people of good habits, using the example of good diet and regular sport practised by members of the first team, young hopefuls at ‘La Masia’ and veteran players. The menus prepared for the club’s sportspeople will be used as standards for healthy eating.

Two eminent figures in their fields, cardiologist Valentí Fuster and chef Ferran Adrià, were joined by the president of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, who unveiled the campaign by saying “we want the best so we want to learn from the best”. They are the best at what they do, they are all Barça fans and they are all Catalans”. He reckons that ‘We are what we do, we are what we eat’ is a slogan that speaks for itself.

Better habits

Both Valentí Fuster and Ferran Adrià agree that children are our future and should be taught to eat properly. Fuster said that children “need physical exercise, food and to say no to tobacco and drugs”. These three things he says, after many years of experience in New York, which will avoid most heart problems.

Ferran Adrià described Barça as the perfect tool for promoting this project, which seeks to teach “an attitude to society in which diet plays a fundamental role.” Rosell added that the club “will offer all of its commitment and infrastructure to ensuring that this message reaches children”.

Presentation at ‘La Masia’

The presentation was attended by Sandro Rosell, president of FC Barcelona; Ramon Pont, chief vice president of the FC Barcelona Foundation; the world-known chef Ferran Adrià, president of the Fundació Alícia’s advisory committee; cardiologist Valentí Fuster, president of the Fundació SHE; Boi Ruiz, Catalan Health Minister and Maite Fandos, Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor for Quality of Living, Equality and Sport.

Campaign all over Catalonia

The project is aimed at Catalan people in general, but especially youngsters. During Barcelona’s Patron Saint festivities, La Mercè –the most important street party of the year-, on September 24 and 25, from 11.00 to 19.00, there will be a number of activities in the Salvador Espriu Gardens (Gràcia Gardens) in Barcelona, with workshops explaining how to eat better and do sport. During the last quarter of the year there shall also be conferences in university centres held by nutrition, sport and medicine experts, and also sports activities on the club grounds. ‘We are what we do, we are what we eat’ will tour 50 towns and cities in Catalonia, where a festival will be held in each to distribute ‘healthy eating packs’ and provide information of physical activity and good diets.

Adverts featuring Piqué and Messi and website

‘We are what we do, we are what we eat’ has two special figureheads in Gerard Piqué and Leo Messi, who have allowed the campaign to use their images and have recorded an ad in which they explain the importance of healthy eating and sport. The website at www.somelquefem.cat contains information about healthy habits and educational materials.

‘We are what we do...’, four campaigns

‘We are what we do...’ is a programme promoted by the FC Barcelona Foundation this season that shall consist of four awareness campaigns, including the one being presented today. The following editions will work on respect for differences in youth sport, solidarity with those most in need and the integration of disability in sport.