Breakfast Who is Who

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, the idea of what a good breakfast is can greatly differ depending on where you live. In the USA, as in most of the Americas and Northern Europe, people tend to eat hearty, strong and complete breakfasts. These are usually high-protein and include items such as eggs, bacon, potatoes, veggies, and pancakes. For people here in Mediterranean Europe American breakfast items usually seem too heavy. They find it difficult to believe a person can actually feel like eating that much, especially that early in the morning! Mediterraneans usually have significantly smaller breakfasts that consist of coffee and milk and a slice of toast with butter and jam for those who like it sweet, and oil and tomato for those who don´t.

In general breakfast habits are only a matter of taste, except when it comes to the fact of actually having some breakfast. Researchers seem to agree that the worst possible breakfast is no breakfast at all, especially for children and teenagers. Many studies suggest a strong correlation between academic achievement and having breakfast, which is why many states in the US began their breakfast-at-school programs.

So, if we consider breakfast necessary, how can we choose wisely what to have? According to several medical studies, the most important nutrients to include in a complete breakfast are fiber, protein, and vitamins, especially vitamin C (more so in the wintertime when our immune system needs a little boost). Given this information, the best breakfast may be a combination of American and Mediterranean ingredients. American breakfast items are high in animal protein, but also in saturated fats, whereas Mediterranean breakfast is high in fiber but often lacks protein and vitamin C. The ideal breakfast should definitely include some dairy products, fruit, and bread. The way you mix and match these is entirely up to you and your schedules, but remember... NEVER SKIP BREAKFAST AGAIN!