Eat Like an Olympian: Hayley Wickenheiser joins Maple Leaf Foods for the launch of Maple Leaf® Natural Selections® PROTINIS™ complete protein snacks

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TORONTO, March 31, 2014 /CNW/ - Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist for Women's Hockey and Canadian flag bearer, Hayley Wickenheiser, was in Toronto today educating Canadians about how to eat smart like an Olympian.  In partnership with Maple Leaf Foods, which is introducing Maple Leaf® Natural Selections® PROTINIS™ (pronounced pro-tee-neez), Ms. Wickenheiser provided tips on how Canadians can power through their busy days by making sure they get an adequate amount of complete protein in their diets.  Maple Leaf® Natural Selections® PROTINIS™ are an example of what Ms. Wickenheiser calls "foods for fuel". They are a whole new kind of complete protein snack made with delicious oven-roasted seasoned chicken or combinations of oven-roasted chicken and dried fruit.

"As an athlete, I need good sources of protein to get me through the day, keep my energy level up and stay fueled," said Hayley Wickenheiser. "When I came across the new PROTINIS™ snacks from Maple Leaf Natural Selections, I was thrilled because now I can get an excellent source of complete protein that tastes great, is made with natural ingredients and is so convenient. I can take them to the gym and bring them with me when I'm travelling. I also give them to my son because he's growing and needs protein to help him build strong muscles so he can excel in his daily activities".

According to a Harris Decima survey, more than half (52 per cent) of Canadians snack at least twice a day, 71 per cent are seeking healthier snacking options and 85 per cent of Canadians prefer a snack that leaves them feeling fuller, longer.

"Complete protein contains all of the essential amino acids your body needs and cannot produce on its own," said Sue Mah, registered dietitian and nutrition expert. "Some examples of foods with complete protein are milk, eggs, fish, meat and poultry, like the oven-roasted chicken bites in PROTINIS™. This type of protein helps slow down the digestion of food, keeping you feeling fuller, longer, and protein snacking can support physical activity and weight management goals by building and repairing muscles and tissues."

"We wanted to give consumers a smart and satisfying snacking option," said Chantal Butler, Vice President, Marketing, Maple Leaf Foods. "By introducing PROTINIS™, we are offering Canadians a revolutionary, nutritious complete protein snack unlike anything currently in Canada."

PROTINIS™ snacks are available in eight flavours including Oven Roasted Chicken, Sweet Thai Chili Chicken, Mild Salsa Chicken, Honey Garlic Chicken, Oven Roasted Chicken and Cranberry, Oven Roasted Chicken and Superfruit, Oven Roasted Chicken and Mango, and Oven Roasted Chicken and Apple. They are available at major grocery stores across Canada and retail for approximately $4.99. Each retail pack comes with two PROTINIS™ snacks.

For more information about PROTINIS™ and the benefits of complete protein visit www.protinis.ca.

About Maple Leaf Foods®

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading food processing company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company employs approximately 18,000 people at its operations across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. The Company had sales of $4.4 billion in 2013. Its flagship brands include Maple Leaf®, Schneiders™, Maple Leaf® Natural Selections®, and Maple Leaf Prime®.

Image with caption: "Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Hayley Wickenheiser was in Toronto today supporting the launch of PROTINIS(TM) by Maple Leaf Foods(R) Natural Selections(R), a new kind of complete protein snack to keep you fuller, longer. Wickenheiser calls PROTINIS(TM) "food for fuel" to help Canadians power through their busy days. Visit www.protinis.ca. (CNW Group/Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140331_C7830_PHOTO_EN_38605.jpg

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

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Laurie Weir
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David Bauer
Corporate Communications
Maple Leaf Foods
905-285-1510
[email protected]