For many of us, the thought of a full English breakfast is something to dream about before we go to bed, but the reality often falls short.
I can already picture it: freshly squeezed orange juice, buttered toast with Oxford marmalade, crispy bacon, farm-fresh eggs, sausages, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and a pot of steaming tea.
It sounds perfect—right? Yet, when morning arrives, and I stumble bleary-eyed down to the breakfast table, it’s usually a different story.
Somehow, the sight of it all doesn’t tempt me quite as much as I expected.
The Reality of Breakfast in the Busy World
Research conducted by Kellogg’s Great British Breakfast Audit reveals that I’m not alone in this struggle.
According to the survey, a staggering 12% of people, like me, skip breakfast altogether, while 47% spend less than 10 minutes on it.
Even worse, a huge 76% multitask during their morning meal, checking emails or scrolling through social media as they eat.
It seems that despite all the motivational quotes from chefs and writers praising breakfast as the key to a successful day, the majority of us don’t follow that advice.
The Reverence for Breakfast: A Cultural Staple
Breakfast has been lauded throughout history by various figures as the most important meal of the day.
British chef Jamie Oliver calls it “a beautiful, elegant thing,” one to be savored.
The late Anthony Bourdain viewed it as a meal with “incredible emotional charge” that brings a sense of fellowship.
Writer A.A. Gill referred to breakfast as “the beginning” and “the commitment to a new day.”
And of course, there’s that classic line, “Breakfast is the foundation for a successful day.”
But does it really live up to its hype? Many of us don’t seem to think so.
The Health Debate: Breakfast or Not?
So, is skipping breakfast doing us harm, or is it just a matter of personal preference? Experts remain divided.
On one hand, some researchers argue that skipping breakfast can disrupt our body’s circadian rhythms, leading to spikes in blood sugar levels and even obesity.
Studies show that those who eat a large breakfast have a lower body mass index than those who eat a large lunch or dinner.
Furthermore, studies have linked skipping breakfast with a higher risk of heart disease and type-2 diabetes, and advocates for a substantial morning meal say it jumpstarts metabolism, boosts energy, and sharpens our focus.
The Case Against Breakfast: Can It Be Bad for You?
On the other hand, there are experts who claim that breakfast may not be as beneficial as it’s made out to be.
Take Professor Terence Kealey, for instance.
After being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, he noticed that his blood glucose levels were higher after eating breakfast compared to waiting until midday to eat.
Kealey has even written a book called Breakfast Is A Dangerous Meal, where he questions the glorification of breakfast, particularly because many studies praising it were funded by cereal manufacturers with a vested interest in selling breakfast products.
He also challenges the notion that eating a large breakfast helps with calorie control throughout the day.
According to him, skipping breakfast might actually help some people lose weight.
The Conclusion: Do What Works for You
As for me, I’m in no position to settle the debate. After all, I’m no expert in nutrition.
But I do know one thing: as we grow older, it becomes hard to keep track of the constant flip-flopping advice about what’s good for our health.
One week, breakfast is essential; the next, it’s harmful.
If you ask me, I’ll say have whatever you want for breakfast, or skip it altogether.
For me, that usually means nothing but coffee and cigarettes.
But I can’t help but envy those who start their day with a hearty full English breakfast, which, let’s be honest, is probably one of the best things Britain has given the world.
And as Somerset Maugham famously said, “To eat well in England, you should have breakfast three times a day!” Now, that sounds like a plan.