Four berries are hidden in a new ’Where’s Wally’-style breakfast brainteaser put together by British Berry Growers to help boost dopamine levels and encourage berry consumption at breakfast
A new puzzle designed by the berry industry is aiming to boost winter moods and raise awareness of soft fruit at breakfast.
The ‘Where’s Wally’-style puzzle invites people to spot one strawberry, one raspberry, one blueberry and one blackberry in a scene of exercise and leisure activities. It should take puzzlers less than 60 seconds to spot all four berries, with the quickest time set at 30.7 seconds.
The scene also shows people doing creative activities like reading or listening to music, activities also linked to dopamine production.
The game is part of trade body British Berry Growers (BBG)’s ’Dopamine at Dawn’ campaign, encouraging people to eat berries at breakfast as a way of boosting moods during dark winter mornings.
“We want breakfast to be fun, interactive, and nutritious. Our ‘Dopamine at Dawn’ brainteaser is a playful way for children to engage with fruit, learn healthy habits, and start their day with energy,” said BBG chairman, Nick Marston.
Dopamine is a natural chemical in the brain whose release is triggered by everything from exercise to problem solving and diet.
Completing a challenging task, like a puzzle, triggers a dopamine boost, according to experts, while berries are also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that support the body’s natural production of dopamine.
“On winter mornings, when days feel grey and routines are starting up again, adding berries to breakfast can be a simple way to bring a bit more enjoyment to the plate,” said nutritionist. Rhiannon Lambert.
“Beyond their colour and taste, berries also offer valuable nutrients. Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries provide fibre, vitamin C and a range of plant compounds such as anthocyanins and polyphenols, which may help to support gut health and overall wellbeing, as part of a balanced diet.”
It comes as recent research found that children miss breakfast nearly seven times a month on average, despite parents widely acknowledging it as the most important meal of the day.
“Berries are a simple and enjoyable way to help children engage with breakfast,” added Lambert. “When nutritious foods are presented in a fun and visually appealing way, children are often more willing to try them and build positive eating habits.”
