According to many health specialists, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even so, busy lifestyles, not getting up early enough in the morning, or attempts at losing weight, can sometimes mean that some people forego breakfast altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perversely, some research has shown that eating a healthy breakfast, rather than skipping it, can actually help with weight loss rather than hinder it. An experiment on BBC\u2019s Horizon programme split a group into two, with one set eating breakfast whilst the rest sipped water. Then nearing lunchtime, both sets were shown around 160 images of different types of food \u2013 some highly calorific like pastries and doughnuts \u2013 others like fresh fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group were then asked to score each image as to how much they felt inclined to eat it. Interestingly the ones who had only had water chose mostly fattening foods, whilst those who had breakfasted went for the healthier options. There are many experiments like this that seem to prove that eating a healthy breakfast<\/a> makes you less likely to choose fatty, sugary foods later in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So it seems there really is something in the saying \u2018breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper.\u2019 Other benefits of eating breakfast include greater concentration, better memory, reduced stress and feeling happier generally. Dr Verner Wheelock\u2019s publication Healthy Eating in Schools illustrates a number of case studies in primary schools where school breakfast clubs have helped to improve concentration amongst youngsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why am I banging on about breakfast? Well next week marks the start of Breakfast Week. Now in its 15th<\/sup> year, this time the theme is \u2018Shake up your wake-up\u2019 which aims to encourage people to make small changes to their routine to fit in a healthy breakfast. Ideally to kick-start our metabolisms we need to eat breakfast within two hours of waking and eat around 20% to 35% of our recommended daily calorie intake \u2013 for women this equates to between 500 and 875 calories for men and between 400 and 700 calories for women. The traditional farmhouse breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms etc. is packed with protein to help you feel full. Equally the slow release of energy from porridge or banana will have a similar effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another benefit of eating breakfast is that it contains essential nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium and iron. On www.shakeupyourwakeup.com there are loads of different ideas and recipes for breakfast, including how to fit in breakfast on the move. Whether you\u2019re a commuter, office worker, busy mum, active and sporty, trying to lose weight, suffering from the winter blues, looking to boost your energy levels or trying to shake off a sniffle, you\u2019ll find the right type of breakfast to suit you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eggs are one of the most versatile foods you can have for breakfast. The average person eats 172 eggs per year and one-third of these is likely to be consumed at breakfast time. But did you know that scientists have found a statistical relationship between how you like to have them cooked and your character, lifestyle and social class? Apparently, if you like your eggs poached you\u2019re more likely to be outgoing and happy; if you favour boiled eggs you\u2019re disorganised; if you prefer an omelette you\u2019re self-disciplined or if you\u2019re a scrambled egg fan you\u2019re more guarded. Finally, if fried eggs are your favourite, you have a high sex drive!<\/p>\n\n\n\nReap the benefits of a healthy breakfast during Breakfast Week<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What your choice of eggs says about you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n