A survey has found that despite the increased awareness of the importance of breakfast, almost one third of Irish people still regularly miss it (27%), with lack of time being the main reason (35%).
The research, with the survey conducted by multivitamin brand, Pharmaton Active Life, also found that we are a country of sleepy heads with 40% of people admitting to preferring an extra push of the snooze button over breakfast, which can contribute to poorer physical and mental performance throughout the day.
70% of those surveyed said when they fail to eat breakfast it has an impact on their mood and mental performance, with irritability and a lack of concentration the most common complaints.
Of those who make time for the most important meal of the day, porridge is their breakfast of choice, with fruit obtaining 40% of the vote. Over half (58%) of those surveyed eat breakfast on the go with just under a third (30%) eating breakfast at their desks.
27% of respondents admitted to regularly missing breakfast and 76% of people notice the effects of missing breakfast on both mental and physical performance. 76% of people suggested that missing the first meal of the day affects them physically leading to increased snacking and a lack of energy throughout the day.
These results become apparent as the blood sugar levels are naturally low in the morning and without breakfast, they will remain low throughout the morning which leads to the side effects outlined in the research.
Skipping breakfast also means we are more likely to make poor food choices later in the day as our body is looking for a quick pick me up.
These usually come in the form of caffeine and snacks high in sure e.g. breakfast bars, scones and can cause and imbalance in blood sugar levels, in turn affecting energy and hunger levels for the remainder of the day.
