You Know Skipping Breakfast is Bad for You

By Madeleine Brindley

It’s a well-known fact that skipping breakfast can leave us reaching for the biscuit jar when mid-morning hunger strikes. But experts now believe that missing the most important meal of the day could have a long-lasting impact on our health. Concern is growing that Wales’ one million serial breakfast skippers are depriving their body of essential nutrients. A report compiled by cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s today claims that Wales is suffering from a ‘nutrient chasm’ brought on by missing breakfast.

Dr Rachel Pryke, a GP in Worcestershire and an independent health writer, said people who skip breakfast are also less likely to eat the recommended minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

And, as a consequence, they are more likely to eat more high fat, salt and sugar foods – all of which have long-term health consequences, in the form of obesity, heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Figures suggest that 1.2m adults and more than 100,000 children in Wales miss breakfast regularly, even though the majority of people claim to understand the significant nutritional benefits of breakfast.

Fortified cereals provide a range of B vitamins and iron, while a serving of milk can make up to half of a child’s daily calcium requirement.

Compromised vitamin and mineral intake, as a direct result of missing breakfast, can result in a pattern of poor food choices and poor nutritional intake during the rest of the day, the report said.

People who skip a balanced breakfast tend to eat almost 21% less fruit and vegetables, 8% more meat products, 4% less dairy products and 25% more higher fat and sugar products.

The lower intake of fruit and vegetables adds to the nutrient chasm as the body misses out on fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including antioxidants, which are all important for health.

The British Dietetic Association said, ‘Research indicates that you are much more likely to be the correct weight for height if you have breakfast.

‘The same research indicates that those who eat breakfast fare better in tests or exams and are also less likely to have accidents.

‘We also get around two-thirds of our nutrients at breakfast, and these do not tend to be made up throughout the day if we skip breakfast.’

The report also states that diets higher in fat, salt and sugar foods can mean a greater chance of not getting the balance right between energy in and energy out – a foundation of poor dietary habits, leading to obesity.

Many higher fat, sugar and salt foods are calorie dense and contain poor levels of vitamins and minerals, therefore contributing to poor nutritional status.

Dr Pryke said, ‘A major nutrient gap – even amounting to a nutrient chasm – arises from the triple-whammy combination of people skipping breakfast and tending to eat less fruit and vegetables and more high fat, salt and sugar foods as a result. Breakfast skippers do not make up missing nutrients later in the day and this combination is clearly linked to health problems.’ Kellogg’s nutritionist Rimi Obra-Ratwatte added, ‘It is a fact 25% of women of all ages in the UK are deficient in iron, which can lead to anaemia, and 64% of girls (and 53% of boys) aged six to 11 are deficient in calcium, which is vital for healthy teeth and bones. ‘It’s also worrying that up to 92% of women of childbearing age are deficient in folate, which can have serious effects on the development of unborn children. ‘Starting the day with a fortified breakfast cereal, with semi- skimmed milk, can significantly help to bridge this nutrient chasm and encourage a better diet overall, which will lead to significant gains in health and wellbeing.’: The best breakfast:The traditional bowl of cereal topped with lashings of fruit is the epitome of a healthy breakfast, according to the British Dietetic Association. Breakfast cereals provide the body with energy, B vitamins, some iron and fibre. They will also kick start the metabolism and are low in fat. But the BDA says it is important to go for the natural option and avoid cereals coated in sugar or chocolate. Sliced or dried fruit on top will provide plenty of vitamins A and C – try raisins or bananas. To get even more of your five-a-day, try a fresh fruit smoothie – fruit blended with low fat yoghurt or skimmed milk. Including five portions of fruit and vegetables every day can help to protect against heart disease and some cancers. Milk in the smoothie or on the cereal is a good source of protein, calcium and B vitamins.

Calcium is essential to keep the bones strong – whatever your age.

A single serving of milk on cereal can provide up to half the daily calcium requirement.

But Rachel Cooke, a public health dietician, said people should not despair if they preferred a cooked breakfast.

‘The healthiest breakfast depends on the person eating it – the key is to have breakfast. ‘So if someone will never eat cereal, this is not a problem as the way forward would be to identify what they would eat and to choose a healthier option within that. ‘If they love fried bacon sandwiches the first step would be to grill the bacon and add in grilled mushrooms and tomatoes.’

(c) 2007 Western Mail. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.