Breakfast time

Breakfast is the all important first meal of the day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, although there is no need to provide ham, bacon, eggs, and home fries, with warm toast dripping butter, on a daily basis, it is all important to start the day with a decent meal, supplying protein, vitamins and energy foods.

There is still room for a breakfast sandwich on busy day, where the next meal can be delayed, and for a traditional cooked breakfast on weekends, even as a brunch option.

Breakfast time provides a good opportunity to get some of your calcium allowance in the form of milk, yogurt, or cheese. This is especially important for young children, whose bones and teeth are developing, teenagers, usually going through spurts in growth that require extra nutrients, and women, who are more at risk from osteoporosis.

Dairy foods are the biggest single source of dietary calcium. They provide also protein and other important vitamins. Lower fat versions are preferable, and an equally useful source of these nutrients. Children as young as two can benefit from 2% fat milk.

For a week day breakfast, you might like to find some simple wholesome alternatives to cold cereal or a bagel –or a quick something grabbed on the go. Although most breakfast options can be prepared in less than thirty minutes, there are ways to speed up the process even more.

• Muffins can be made in advance and frozen.
• Have pre-grilled bread slices frozen, ready to pop in the toaster.
• Pancake mix can be prepared the night before and stored in the fridge; this way you can make pancakes in a hurry.

Muesli or a granola breakfast, fresh fruit with yogurt, fresh fruit smoothie, or a quick omelet provide an excellent start to the day. It takes less than five minutes to put it together. If you have to go for the cold cereal with milk, make it whole grain and add berries or raisins.