Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. If someone were to suggest to you that as part of your regular nutritional intake you should go without food for 15 to 16 hours regularly you would almost certainly consider them a crank.

However, for a lot of people in the UK this is the regular eating pattern:

• The main meal of our day is often our evening meal at about 7pm. We then drink coffee or tea in the evening and go to bed
• Once we’re up the next morning, more often than not there’s time for a quick cup of coffee or tea and then we’re straight out the door
• At work by the time 10 or 11am comes around the munchies hit. At this point we want something quick and either grab a chocolate bar or perhaps a bag of crisps

This snacking pattern occurs because the body requires glucose and as breakfast was missed, calorie dense sweet and fatty snacks fulfil this need.

Weight management

From a weight management perspective breakfast is very important.

Studies have shown that individuals who habitually eat breakfast tend to maintain a steady body weight (Wyatt et al, 2002 - Obesity Research). This may well be because their blood glucose levels are elevated and so they feel more satiated.

The eating centre in the hypothalamus monitors blood glucose levels and uses any drop in blood glucose as an indicator that food is required. By maintaining a steady blood glucose level you don't feel as hungry.