A. Breakfast is important because as much as 25% of your daily energy should be consumed at breakfast time; therefore incorporating a balanced breakfast is important in everyone's diet to give them the energy to start the day.

Research shows that children who consume breakfast are less likely to be overweight, consume less daily kilojoules and have improved concentration throughout the day. [1] [2]

Therefore it is important to make sure children and adults are consuming a balanced breakfast.

A. A balanced breakfast consists of three of the five major food groups and provides 25% of our daily energy needs.

A healthy breakfast may include:

• Cereal - whole grain and high fibre varieties are preferential over sugary or refined cereals
• Bread/Toast - whole grain, high fibre choices such as whole meal, grainy and fruit breads
• Dairy - reduced-fat milk, yoghurt or cheese
• Fruit - whole fruit, tinned, dried or fruit juice
• Meats / protein sources - Eggs, baked beans, ham, fish such as mackerel and sardines
• Vegetables - such as mushrooms on toast or grilled vegetables served with eggs

The Nutella balanced breakfast consists of 2 slices white high fibre bread with 10g Nutella per slice + 1 glass reduced fat milk + 1 banana.

[1] Rampersaud, G.C., Pereira, M.A., Girard, B.L., Adams, J. & Metzl, J.D. Breakfast habits, nutritional status, body weight and academic performance in children and adolescents. J Am Diet Asscoc 105, 743-60; quiz 761-2 (2005).

[2] Mahoney, C.R., Taylor, H.A., Kanarek, R.B. & Samuel, P. Effect or breakfast composition on cognitive processes in elementary school children. Physiol Behav 85, 635-45 (2005)