Running on empty - Skipping breakfast can spoil your morning

Recent research has suggested that skipping breakfast can be detrimental to peoples' health and has a particular effect on the concentration and weight levels of children. The Home-Grown Cereals Authority reports that children who regularly eat a cereal based breakfast are in better health and weighed less than those who went without.

It is a myth that skipping breakfast can help reduce calorie intake as the body will start craving high fat or sugary snacks before lunch. Instead of being distracted from work or study by hunger, we can prevent this happening by making some time each morning to eat a healthy breakfast.

Half the battle is encouraging adults and children to have their breakfast in the first place but what should they be eating? An increasingly popular inclusion on Britain's breakfast table is a bowl of porridge. The advantages of starting your day with this cereal are that it is nutrient rich. Oats contain high levels of beta-gluten which is a soluble fibre that is known to help in the reduction of cholesterol levels. Made with semi-skimmed milk provides protein/carbohydrates, boosts vitamin levels and lessens the chance of hunger mid morning.