Breakfast

    What do you need on your plate for breakfast?

    Okay, you’re up. You’ve off the bed and you’re ready for the day. After a long night’s sleep, the first meal of the day needs to get everyone up and running again. Wondering what exactly makes a good breakfast? Well keep reading…

    What does a balanced breakfast look like?

    A balanced breakfast will give you and your family the very best start to the day. You need a good mix of carbohydrates, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. These are found in lots of foods, and you can choose pretty much what you like, as long as you pick from the different breakfast food groups: grain, fruit and dairy – and of course a glass of water. One serving of the right size from each of these food groups will set everyone up for the day ahead. Take a look below to find out why this is, and for some examples of delicious balanced breakfasts.

    Grain, fruit, dairy...

     1. Start with grain

    Grains like oats, corn, wheat and barley are good for you. Especially if they are whole[1]. For a glorious breakfast that includes the goodness of grains, try a bowl of breakfast cereal made with whole grain or a slice of wholemeal toast.

    Find out more about the difference between whole grain and refined grain

    2. Fill up on fruit

    Breakfast is a great time to kick start your ‘5 fruits a day’. High in vitamins, minerals and fiber, fruit is a great addition to any breakfast. Try to eat fruit that is in season (it’s more sustainable, they have a better taste and also, it gives your child the chance to learn more about the beauty of the different seasons). With so much to choose from, it isn’t hard to make a fabulous feast out of fruit. And for the little ones, why not cut up some of their fruity favorites and add them to their yogurt or cereal bowl? Yummy.

    3. Delicious dairy

    Rich in calcium for healthy teeth and bones, food rich in dairy is also a good source of protein and is great at breakfast time[2]. Milk is good with cereal but why not add on a spoonful of yogurt? And cheese isn’t just for sandwiches, it makes a great breakfast – try it on toast!

    Need a bigger breakfast? Add some extra protein

    If you’re feeling very hungry in the morning or will need a lot of energy, you could add some extra protein to your plate. Try a slice of ham, an egg or a small handful of almonds – your balanced breakfast will be complete and you’ll be ready to kick start your day!

    "And water of course!"

    With so much delicious food to think about, let’s not forget about the importance of water. It is generally recommended to drink around 2 liters of water every day[3]. Research shows that almost 2/3 of children are not hydrated enough when they get to school[4]. So let’s work together to change this!

    Whole Grain the Whole Story

    Whole grains are known to be full of nutrients, compared to 'white' foods. Why not give whole grain a go and see what you think?

    Read moreWhole Grain the Whole Story

    Build your breakfast

    Just pick one item from each food group

    GrainsChildrenTeenagersAdults
    Breakfast cereal made with whole grain25-30g30-45g30-45g
    Whole grain muffin with jam (15g)1 mini1 piece1 piece
    Whole bread with butter (5g) & jam (15g)40g (1 slice)80g (2 slices)80g (2 slices)
    Crispbread with butter (5g) & jam (15g)2 pieces4 pieces3 pieces
    +
    DairyChildrenTeenagersAdults
    Semi skimmed milk125ml150-200ml125ml
    Hot chocolate (best to avoid having hot chocolate and jam in the same meal for a more balanced sugar intake)200ml of semi skimmed milk with 1 to 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder250ml of semi skimmed milk with 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder200ml of semi skimmed milk with 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder
    Yoghurt125 grams200 grams125 grams
    Cottage cheese14 grams28 grams14 grams
    +
    Fruits (seasonal fruit is better)ChildrenTeenagersAdults
    Orange1 piece1 piece1 piece
    Banana1 piece1 piece1 piece
    Apple1 piece1 piece1 piece
    Kiwi1 piece1 piece2 pieces
    +
    Optional: more proteinsChildrenTeenagersAdults
    Almonds5 to 8 nuts10 nuts5 to 8 nuts
    Egg1 small1 medium1 small
    Ham1 small57 grams/2 slices28 grams/1 slice
    Cheese14 grams14 grams14 grams
    Peanut butter1/2 tablespoon1 tablespoon1/2 tablespoon
    +

    A glass of water :)

    Footnotes

    1. Jonnalagadda SS, Harnack L, Liu RH et al (2011) Putting the whole grain puzzle together: health benefits associated with whole grains--summary of American Society for Nutrition 2010 Satellite Symposium. J Nutr. May;141(5).
    2. Learn more about the Health benefits of milk http://www.milk.co.uk/page.aspx?intPageID=73
    3. www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1459
    4. Bonnet F, Lepicard EM, Cathrin L et al (2012) French children start their school day with a hydration deficit. Ann Nutr Metab. 60(4):257-63. Assael BM, Cipolli M, Meneghelli I et al (2012) Italian Children Go to School with a Hydration Deficit. J Nutr Disorders Ther. 2:3. Barker M, Benefer M, Russell J et al (2012) Hydration Deficit After Breakfast Intake Among British. The FASEB Journal, 26: lb 395. Stookey JD, Brass B, Holliday A et al (2012) What is the cell hydration status of healthy children in the USA? Preliminary data on urine osmolality and water intake. Public Health Nutr. Nov;15(11):2148-56

    Related Articles

    two small children dressed in a paper and cardboard armor playing with each other

    Fortification it’s all about defenses!

     Nutrients play a big part in helping to keep us all healthy. Find out how Nestlé cereals contain just the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. Read the full article Fortification it’s all about defenses!

    A good breakfast is great for growing up

     Breakfast is the most important meal. Get your children to have a balanced breakfast every morning to help them start their day! Read the full article A good breakfast is great for growing up

    Wake up to a good breakfast

     Breakfast plays an important part in your daily diet. Know more about how nutritious it can be and how it can help you start your day. Read the full article Wake up to a good breakfast

    Let'stalk

    Do Nestlé products in emerging countries have more salt than products in developed/developing countries?

    For the last 15 years we’ve been working to reduce the sodium (which is the major component of salt) in our breakfast cereals across the world because we want to keep making them more nutritious. Achieving consistency in all products, in all countries, takes time - so some may have more sodium than others. Our aim is for all our cereals – globally – to have the same reduced levels of sodium, with a target of less than 135mg per serving in all our children's products.

    What are the health and nutritional benefits of Nestlé Gluten Free Corn Flakes?

    As well as being a healthy choice for people who want to reduce the amount of gluten in their diet, or have coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance, Gluten Free Corn Flakes are fortified with B-vitamins, folic acid and iron

    How can I find foods made with whole grain?

    Two things to remember: • Look for food labels where the word 'whole' appears in front of the name of the grain, like “whole wheat” or “wholemeal bread”. • For foods with more than one ingredient, make sure whole grain is listed towards the top of the ingredients list. The further up the list it is, the more whole grain has been used in the recipe. And look out for the percentage of whole grain. You should find this in the ingredients list too. It’s easy to know if a Nestlé breakfast cereal is made with whole grain: just look out for the Green Banner and whole grain tick on top of the box.

    I’ve heard a low GI diet can help me lose weight. Is this true?

    It’s too early to say. The science in this area is still emerging. There is evidence that low GI foods take longer to digest and help you feel satisfied for longer, but none that you’ll eat fewer calories at the next meal.