What’s the best brekkie in a bottle?
TWO-ThIrdS of us are thought to skip that allimportant first meal of the day and dash out with a growling stomach. A slew of breakfast drinks have been launched to fill that gap, but can a swig from a bottle replace toast and cereal?
Alice Smellie tries out the new on-the-go breakfast beverages and nutritionist rob hobson gives his expert opinion.
SUGARY START
Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drink, £1.39, tesco.com WHAT IS IT? Packed with all the protein, energy and fibre of a bowl of Weetabix with milk, this comes in vanilla, banana, strawberry or chocolate. NUTRITION: The chocolate version contains 215 calories, 9.5g protein, 5.8g fibre and a whopping 22g sugar. TASTE TEST: This bears little resemblance to cereal — it tastes like melted ice cream. While I wouldn’t say that I feel full afterwards, my hunger has subsided. But two hours later, I have a headache coming on and wonder whether it’s a sugar crash. It doesn’t beat my usual two slices of buttered toast, but it’s great if you like a sugary start. EXPERT: The main ingredients are milk, cream and sugar — not the beginnings of a nutritious breakfast. I can’t imagine this would keep you full as it’s low in calories, but it is a good source of fibre. 5/10
PROTEIN PUNCH
Bio-Synergy Whey Better Ready To Drink, £41.88 for 12, bio-synergy.co.uk WHAT IS IT? A protein shake in chocolate or strawberry, this is gluten-free, virtually fat-free and apparently has been embraced by athletes. NUTRITION: 122 calories a bottle, 25g protein, 2.3g sugar and 15 per cent of the recommended daily intake of vitamins. TASTE TEST: My strawberry drink smells sweet and fruity, but after three hours I think I’m going to collapse. My breakfast loathing husband drinks one a day. EXPERT: I see these drinks as sports supplements. There are simply not enough calories for breakfast and though fortified with vitamins and minerals, they lack in fibre. 7/10
FRUITY FUN
Cho! On The Go Gazpacho, £1.89, Londis and Budgens WHAT IS IT? Savoury drinking gazpacho with tomato and pepper, beetroot and apple, or tomato and strawberry. NUTRITION: Less than 170 calories a bottle and 6.75g sugar. TASTE TEST: I last only an hour and I’m almost fainting with hunger. That said, it’s a pleasure to drink and low in sugar. I’d recommend this as a snack. EXPERT: These look tasty and provide a couple of portions of fruit and veg. But it’s not going to sate your hunger. 4/10
SNACK ATTACK
Nosh Super Brekkie, £2.50, Holland & Barrett stores and Tesco Express nationwide. WHAT IS IT? Contains proteinpacked quinoa, one portion of fruit, oats for fibre and yoghurt. Comes i n strawberry and banana, oats and honey or mango and passion fruit. NUTRIT I ON: The mango version contains 230 calories and 17.8g sugar. TASTE TEST: This is delicious. The fruit tastes fresh and t he yoghurt pleasingly tart. The quinoa is a bit lumpy, but my only real quibble is t he sugar content. EXPERT: Tasty and nutritious, but I consider these bottles as more of a nourishing snack than a breakfast. 9/10
MEGA MILKSHAKE
Moma Smooth Oatie Shake, £1.51 (on offer), ocado.com WHAT IS IT? Packed with fruit, oats and yoghurt, this makes a delicious breakfast shake in strawberry and banana or mango and peach. NUTRITION: The strawberry one has 251 calories, 3.3g protein, 33g sugar and 8.9g fibre. TASTE TEST: I’m impressed with the protein and fibre content, but it’s too sweet (even without added sugar, 33g is more than the 29.5g in a double decker). I get home from the school run and dive into the bread bin. EXPERT: It provides one of your five a day, but I think it’s more of a healthy milkshake than a breakfast option. 6/10
MEAL IN A BOTTLE
Maxitone Sculptress Diet Drink , £14.99 for six, maxinutrition.com WHAT IS IT? designed to replace one or two meals or snacks a day, these help with weight loss while providing 46 per cent of your daily protein and 22 vitamins and minerals. NUTRITION: 216 calories, 12.8g sugar, 3.4g fibre and 22.7g protein per bottle. TASTE TEST: I can’t drink this — it’s too sickly sweet. I try to get through the morning without anything, but I cave in and put on the toaster after an hour. EXPERT: The calories are nowhere near enough to constitute a meal. The protein will give a feeling of fullness, but won’t keep you going. 5/10
Good morning
In Asia, a typical breakfast for all the family is a savoury
rice soup