The German term Frühstück dates back to the 15th century and meant the piece of bread eaten in the morning. Similarly, the Swedish and Danish words are frukost and morgenmad. Among others with a different original meaning is the English term “Breakfast”. It means breaking the fast after the night. Another example that refers to this is the meaning of the Spanish desayuno. In Dutch, you take it literally instead and describe breakfast as ontbijt, which can be translated as “biting into”.

Different countries – different ways to have breakfast

While some people swear by rice for breakfast in Asia, change their diet in Germany between sweet and substantial, and you dig in heartily at a typical English breakfast, you enjoy a croissant in France. In Iran, on the other hand, you might eat Mast-o-Khiar, a cold yoghurt soup with mint and fresh vegetables, as the first meal of the day.
Breakfast is a cultural phenomenon. It differs, however, in the time of day, the length, and as already mentioned in the meal itself. Many countries have fixed rituals about the composition of the first meal of the day. The sweet breakfast is more of a part of western culture. In Great Britain, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, when the family comes together. Nonetheless, many people, especially young ones, are missing breakfast nowadays.

Health aspects of breakfast

Breakfast is said to have both negative and positive qualities. Also, what a healthy breakfast should look like is controversial. However, there is a general consensus that children and adolescents benefit from a meal. Of course, the composition also generally plays a role in the effects of breakfast. Basically, one can assume that anyone who craves breakfast in the morning should go ahead and eat it. Those who don’t feel hungry in the morning shouldn’t feel compelled to do so. The fact is that the first meal of the day lays the foundation for the rest of the day. So you do something very good for yourself if this meal is balanced and healthy.