Breakfast most important meal

The word breakfast literally means ‘breaking the fast’. For some people, especially younger children, the overnight fast can last up to 16 hours. The body needs a healthy breakfast to help refuel energy levels in the morning – so it can power through the rest of the day with ease.

Today, the familiar saying ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ is overwhelmingly supported by research findings. However, despite knowledge of its benefits, skipping breakfast is becoming common practice in the Arabian Gulf, reports have stated.

While family mealtimes have traditionally been a core part of life across the Arabian Gulf, a rapid shift towards a more Westernised eating pattern means that they are increasingly changing.

Shared mealtimes are far more than just a time together socially; researchers across Europe and the US have shown that family mealtimes have a significant impact on family communication and functioning and the development of healthy eating patterns in children. They can even improve literacy rates and school performance. Conversations and discussions over a shared meal help to develop children’s confidence and communication skills for the future.

Researchers state that breakfast boosts mental and physical performance in both adults and children, with teachers commonly observing that hungry children cannot learn effectively. Those who eat breakfast have been shown to select critical information more efficiently during problem-solving tasks; perform better in both mathematical and creative tasks; and demonstrate improved accuracy on a range of cognitive function tests.

Adults also benefit mentally from eating breakfast. In a series of memory and recall tests, those who had eaten breakfast performed significantly better at memory tasks compared to those who had not eaten a breakfast meal. Recollection speed also improved.

Leading cereal brand Kellogg’s claims it has remained dedicated to promoting the positive effects of a healthy breakfast, one that meets the nutritional requirements and needs of both children and adults. The brand has long believed that, as the first meal of the day, a well-balanced breakfast is pivotal to maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. It is also key to helping children and adults fill nutritional gaps in their daily diet.

“A bowl of Kellogg’s cereal provides at least 20 per cent of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for 6B vitamins (thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid), and at least 15 per cent of the NRV for iron,” explained Kellogg’s nutritionist Anne-Sophie Bourhis.

“Many cereals also contain 25 per cent of the NRV for vitamin D per bowl! Iron and folic acid are important nutrients as they help to reduce tiredness and fatigue. So are vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, which help to boost energy by releasing it from the food we eat. ”

The case for eating breakfast is therefore clear: it provides vital nutrition; it makes us more alert; helps keep us fit and healthy; and improves performance and behaviours at school and work.