BREK WITH THEPAST
Young people have turned their backs on toast and cereal in favour of complicated Insta recipes, but are they missing out?
FORGET the bleary bowl of cereal or a boiled egg with toast soldiers, according to a survey, a third of under-35s have never enjoyed these traditional breakfasts.
Instead, millennials and Generation Z-ers prefer to start the day with something photogenic to put on Instagram.
The survey found that 15 per cent of under-35s had looked at the site for breakfast inspiration.
Waffles, pancakes and avocado toast – adorned with pomegranate seeds, edible flowers or microherbs – are preferable to a homely plate of muesli or porridge.
Kedgeree and kippers, once found in silver chafing dishes on the tables of the aristocracy, are now seen only in country hotels.
The half grapefruit, beloved of slimmers in the 70s, is now only eaten by slimmers in their 70s. And marmalade is very much an old person’s spread.
But are the young missing out? Glasgow nutritionist Marie Jarvis said:
“There is nothing like a good breakfast to start the day. It provides essential nutrients and minerals to fuel the body and keep it healthy.
“Breakfast helps you to have more focus and brain power. It can also help you reduce food cravings and sustains you until lunchtime without reaching for the chocolate or crisps.”
Marie is not convinced that today’s elaborate dishes fit in with a busy lifestyle. She said: “The popular new dishes, such as halloumi, a plant-based fry-up, eggs Benedict, waffles or pancakes, are not a quick breakfast-and-outthe-door situation.”
Cloud eggs, an Instagram recipe that involves beating egg whites until stiff, baking them in a nest shape, adding yolks then baking again, are particularly fiddly.
Marie said: “I love egg on sourdough and avocado on toast, two of the dishes that are popular with the young generations. But boiled eggs with wholemeal soldiers, which one third had never eaten, can’t be beaten.”
She approves of all breakfasts that contain protein and healthy fats because “they give you the sustainable power you need to stay fuller for longer, and help to prevent morning slumps and sugar cravings”.
Some of the dumped foods are no great loss, such as refined cereals like cornflakes or white toast with marmalade or jam.
Marie said: “I would gladly recommend many of the newfangled breakfasts over cornflakes and toast.”
With waffles made with white flour, sub in oatmeal, buckwheat or even a nut flour, and serve them with fresh berries and a dollop of nut butter instead of Nutella or syrup, and they are a healthy start to the day.
Marie is sad to see some of the old dishes disappear. “Kippers, kedgeree, porridge and muesli have served us well. Our good Scottish oats are great for gut health.”
She points out that, while porridge and muesli have fallen from favour, Insta favourite overnight oats is the same ingredients put in the fridge for 12 hours.
Marie believes, with a bit of tweaking, the new breakfasts can be as nutritious as old favourites.
She said: “The rule of thumb is go for whole grain carbohydrates, mixed with some protein and fats like eggs, avocadoes, nuts and seeds, then throw in some vegetables or fruit.
“Mushrooms, tomatoes or berries are perfect for breakfast.
“They are nutritious and as well as photogenic.”