Have a heart healthy breakfast

Recipes
Eggs are wonderful and you need them

Eating breakfast helps us to concentrate and gets the day off to a good start.

A regular pattern of meals which starts with breakfast is important to make sure you get all the nutrients you need during the day.

It can also help to stop you from getting overly hungry, which is when you are more likely to make less healthy choices - like reaching for the biscuit tin mid-morning.

You don’t have to have a big cooked breakfast - a drink and a piece of fruit or a pot of yoghurt is a good start to help get you into the habit.

Family around table - British Heart FoundationOr try taking a box of cereal to work to keep on your desk so you can eat something when you’ve had time to wake up a bit.

If you already have breakfast then you’re one step ahead already, but there are still things you can do to make it a healthier choice

Breakfast ideas

For an everyday option, wholegrain toast or breakfast cereals like porridge with low fat milk or yoghurt are good choices.

Try sliced banana or dried fruit on top as an alternative to sugar or honey. Then you’ll have started on your five-a-day before you’ve left the house!

When you are going for a bigger breakfast, then use healthier cooking methods.

Try poached eggs instead of fried, and add grilled tomatoes, mushrooms and reduced sugar and salt baked beans that will add fibre and help you towards your five-a-day. Grill bacon and sausages and just have small amounts as these will add salt and saturated fat to your plate.

Our special diet cereal bowl will give you a measured serving of breakfast. Simply fill the bowl to the coloured line representing your cereal choice, then just add a quarter of a pint of semi-skimmed milk.

Change4Life

The Change4Life website is full of ideas to help kids learn about healthy breakfasts, has a digital snack swapper and online recipes.

They also have a Facebook tool to help people figure out what is stopping them eating a healthy breakfast and come up with, and share, solutions.

Their research shows that lots of families choose breakfast options that are high in sugar or fat and many don't eat breakfast at all.

By encouraging people to eat a healthier breakfast you can help them to be move towards all sorts of beneficial changes.