Skip to content

Better Breakfast Month

When:
🗓️ September

Where:
🌐 Everywhere

Since:
1951

🥪🍎🥣☕🥛🍌🍅🫓🍳

Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, while others skip it altogether.
According to research gathered by the Cereal Institute, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, providing essential nutrients and energy to fuel our bodies for the day ahead. As you might have already guessed it, the Cereal Institute recommends cereal for breakfast. (Which is not because of any bias or agenda at all of course. Right?)
To breakfast or not to breakfast is the subject of a lot of debate lately. But we can all agree that if you are in Team Breakfast, then you might as well get a quality breakfast that satisfies both your body and senses.
Move over Sugar-Frosted-Chocolate-Bombs, we’re craving a breakfast with real food!

Rise and Shine: Fix a Meal, Break a Fast

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, is a word that originated from breaking the fast from the night before.
Before we fixed a meal to break a fast, we had the Old English word “morgenmete,” meaning morning meal. Which is actually a more descriptive term, but “breakfast” just sounds better.
As for what defines a breakfast, it varies from culture to culture, but generally includes food and drink consumed after waking up in the morning.
And no, coffee alone hardly counts as breakfast, much to the dismay of caffeine addicts everywhere. 

Breakfast as we used to do it

The history of breakfast is an interesting one. It was not always considered the most important meal of the day.
In ancient Greece, breakfast consisted of barley bread dipped in wine. But in medieval Europe, it was often skipped altogether.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that breakfast became a more popular meal, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that it became widely recognized as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
The history of breakfast is fascinating, but so are the different ways that people around the world enjoy this important meal. 

Breakfast Around the World: A Tour of Global Morning Meals

Breakfast can be a reflection of a country’s culinary traditions, as well as its available resources, therefore it takes on different forms depending on where you are in the world.
In Mexico, it’s common to start the day with hearty foods, often dishes with eggs, like chilaquiles or huevos rancheros.
In Turkey, breakfast might consist of a spread of bread, cheese, olives, and tomato and cucumber salad.
In Germany and the Netherlands a usual breakfast is a simple sandwich with a slice of cheese or cold cuts or a sweet spread or peanut butter, but usually always with a layer of butter between bread and topping.
In Japan, a traditional breakfast might include miso soup, rice, and grilled fish.
Meanwhile, in India, a popular breakfast dish is dosa, a type of savory crepe made from rice flour and lentils, served with a variety of chutneys and sambar.
In the US, sugary cereals, pancakes, waffles, and eggs are staples.
While in the UK, a classic full English breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, baked beans, and black pudding.
Whether you prefer a sweet or savory breakfast, there’s no shortage of delicious options to choose from around the world. So why not expand your breakfast horizons and try something new? Who knows, you may just discover your new favorite morning meal.

To Eat Breakfast, Or Not To Eat Breakfast? That Is The Question.

For years, we’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but is it really?
The answer is not so black and white. On the one hand, breakfast provides essential nutrients that can kickstart your metabolism and give you energy for the day ahead. Eating breakfast has also been linked to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
On the other hand, some people argue that skipping breakfast can lead to weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity. The truth is, the importance of breakfast varies from person to person, and what works for one person may not work for another. To help you weigh the pros and cons of breakfast, here’s a quick list:

Pros:

  • Breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, giving you energy and focus for the day ahead.
  • Eating breakfast can help you feel fuller for longer, which might reduce the chances of overeating later in the day.
  • Breakfast can provide essential nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Breakfast is delicious.

Cons:

  • Some people simply don’t feel hungry in the morning and forcing themselves to eat breakfast can lead to digestive discomfort.
  • Skipping breakfast may potentially lead to weight loss.
  • Gives you more time in the morning.
  • Breakfast can lead to a negative impact on mood and cognitive function with people who are insulin sensitive.
  • Some studies have suggested that intermittent fasting, which involves skipping breakfast, can have health benefits.

Ultimately, whether or not to eat breakfast is a personal decision based on your own body and lifestyle, and it’s important to listen to your body’s needs.Whether you choose to fuel up with a hearty breakfast or wait until later in the day to eat, the most important thing is to prioritize a balanced and nutritious diet overall.

How Not To Breakfast

Now, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about what makes a healthy breakfast.
Some people think that loading up on sugary cereals or granola bars is the way to go. Some people eat a stack of pancakes with greasy bacon and syrup. Other people happily munch on a sandwich dripping with a sugary spread.
These are foods that should be labeled “desserts” instead of breakfast and should also be called “sometimes foods” unless you enjoy buying bigger clothes every few months and don’t mind malnutrition and digestive issues. You do you.
But if you enjoy feeling fit and energized and fitting through doors without having to go sideways, aim for whole foods with a good balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
So, the next time you hear someone say that a donut is a good breakfast option because it has fruit in it, just tell them that is, like, their opinion.

Better Breakfast Month: How It All Started

Better Breakfast Month was first introduced in September 1951 by the Cereal Institute, a trade group representing the interests of the breakfast cereal industry. The idea behind the month-long celebration was to encourage people to start their day off on the right foot with a healthy and nutritious breakfast.
The Cereal Institute also hoped that Better Breakfast Month would help boost sales of breakfast cereals, which were increasingly popular at the time. The Cereal Institute used their marketing power to promote the event, offering tips for healthy breakfast options and recipes featuring cereal. The idea caught on, and over time, other organizations and companies joined in to promote Better Breakfast Month.
The timing of the month was strategic, as it coincided with the start of the school year and the return of a more structured routine after the more relaxed pace of summer.
Since then, the tradition of celebrating Better Breakfast Month has continued, with many people using the occasion to recommit to healthy eating habits and kickstart their mornings with a delicious and satisfying breakfast

How to Celebrate Better Breakfast Month:

The beauty of Better Breakfast Month is that it’s a celebration you can enjoy without having to leave your house (or even your pajamas). Here are some ways you can celebrate this month-long extravaganza of breakfast bliss:

  • Start by experimenting with new breakfast recipes. Get creative and try something outside of your comfort zone (even if it means swapping your go-to cereal for a savory omelet or a fluffy stack of pancakes).
  • Go out for breakfast with friends or family and explore all the delicious breakfast spots in your town.
  • Gather your loved ones for a breakfast party and share some delicious and healthy breakfast recipes.
  • Start a breakfast club with coworkers, where you all bring in a different breakfast item to share once a week.
  • Volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen and help serve breakfast to those in need.
  • Organize a community breakfast event and invite everyone in your neighborhood to attend.
  • Share your breakfast creations on social media with the hashtag #BetterBreakfastMonth. Not only will you inspire others to join in on the fun, but you might even pick up some new recipe ideas along the way.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Better Breakfast Month, just remember to have fun and savor every bite!

Safety First! Don’t Let Your Breakfast Get You Down

While breakfast may seem like a harmless meal, there are still some things to watch out for during Better Breakfast Month. Here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe:

  • As with any dietary changes, it is important to make them gradually to avoid upsetting your digestive system
  • Remember to always wash your hands before preparing breakfast. You never know who or what has touched the utensils and ingredients.
  • Beware of the dangers of toast burn and accidents while frying. Burnt toast can set off smoke detectors and ruin your breakfast. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
  • If using a toaster, do not attempt to retrieve your toast with a metal object, like a fork. Your morning could go from “yum” to “oh no” pretty quickly.
  • Do not attempt to cook anything in the nude, no matter how liberating it may feel. Burns are not a good look.
  • If you’re allergic to any breakfast foods, read labels carefully and have an EpiPen or Benadryl on hand, just in case.
  • Incorporate fun exercises like dancing while you prepare your breakfast. Not only will it get your heart rate up, but it’s a great way to start your day off on the right foot.
  • In case of a breakfast emergency, have a backup plan such as cereal or yogurt on standby.
  • Make sure your food is properly cooked and stored to prevent food poisoning
  • To avoid any angry birds stealing your breakfast, don’t eat outside without protection. Wear a helmet and carry an umbrella to deter any feathered friends.
  • Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Pair your breakfast with a refreshing glass of water or orange juice to keep your body fueled and ready for the day.
  • If you’re cooking with kids, make sure they’re supervised at all times
  • If you have pets, make sure the foods you give them are safe for them to eat. Some foods, like chocolate, grapes, avocado or onions, can be toxic for certain animals. We wouldn’t want to ruin their day either.

In Conclusion

And there you have it – your guide to Better Breakfast Month!
Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day to consider, so listen to your body carefully to know whether breakfast is right for you or not. The important part is that you do what makes you truly feel better.
So go ahead and indulge in a breakfast fit for you personally.
And if anyone asks why you’re enjoying an exotic breakfast adorned with a corresponding country flag, just tell them Wild Calendar gave you permission to do so!
Happy Better Breakfast Month!

🍊🍌🥪🧀☕🥛🍎🍳🥣

Wild Calendar