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01 May 2008
Bank Holiday Fry Ups Send Brits to Bottom of International Breakfast League
- Experts advise we're better off with a simple bowl of cereal and milk -
Recent analysis of typical breakfast foods consumed across the globe shows that Brits waking up to a traditional English breakfast this Bank Holiday are likely to be consuming more calories and fat than our colleagues breakfasting around the world. Data from the Breakfast Cereal Information Service (BCIS) shows that Brits opting for the full English fry up will consume around double the calories, and an average of three times more fat, than those sitting down to a typical breakfast in Australia, Russia, Poland and the Middle East.
This is despite experts warning that a diet high in calories and saturated fat can contribute towards cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and some cancers. A full English fry up on average contains 780 calories and 54g fat.
In contrast, Brits opting for a simple bowl of cereal and milk will consume significantly less calories (214) and fat (3g) than those sitting down to a typical breakfast worldwide, with only New Zealanders eating slightly less.
Prof. Tom Sanders, Head of Nutritional Sciences at Kings College London said: "The traditional English breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage and fried bread is 'a heart attack on a plate' because it is fattening, as well as being loaded with saturated fat and salt. I'm not surprised that it scores badly in the international breakfast league tables. Fortunately, most people only eat this sort of breakfast as an occasional treat and usually consume the healthier option, which is a breakfast of cereal with low fat milk. This combination provides some key nutrients such as fibre, riboflavin and folate and calcium that are often in short supply in the overall diet."
The data also shows that our European neighbours may also start their day a healthier way, with the traditional continental breakfast containing an average of just over half the calories (438) of a full English breakfast and a third of the fat (17g). However, a continental breakfast still contains more than double the number of calories, and over five times the fat, of a breakfast of cereal and milk.
Prof. Sanders concludes: "Now that we are heading towards summer, it is time to shed off those pounds of weight that have accumulated over the winter months. So why not go for the healthy breakfast option this Bank holiday and get outdoors and be active."
-Ends-
For further information contact the BCIS Team on:
Tel: 020 7815 3900
Email: info@breakfastcereal.org
Notes to Editor:
• International Breakfast League Table (ranked by calorie content of typical breakfast):
| Ranking |
Breakfast Type |
Typical Breakfast |
Calorie content per typical breakfast |
Fat content per typical breakfast |
| |
| 1 |
New Zealand |
2 slices wholemeal toast (62g), vegemite (15g), instant coffee (250g), sugar (5g) |
210 |
1.86 |
| |
| 2 |
Cereal with Milk |
Mean adult breakfast cereal, instant coffee (250g), sugar (5g) |
214 |
3 |
| |
| 3 |
Russian |
1 slice wholemeal bread (31g), 1 ‘Kolbassa’ sausage (40g), 1 egg omelette (60g), instant coffee (250g), sugar (5g) |
338 |
20 |
| |
| 4 |
Australian |
2 slices wholemeal toast (62g), vegemite (15g), semi-skimmed milk (250g), low fat fruit yoghurt (125g) |
398 |
7 |
| |
| 5 |
Israeli |
Fried egg with oil (60g), wholemeal bread (45g), 5% fat soft cheese (50g), tomato (80g), cucumber (40g), red pepper (60g) |
406 |
15 |
| |
| 6 |
Polish |
2 slices of white bread (72g), butter (20g), hard cheese (30g) |
417 |
26 |
| |
| 7 |
Middle Eastern |
2 slices of wholemeal toast (62g), 2 slices of Feta cheese (30g), olives (25g), cucumber (30g), tomato (85g), 1 boiled egg (60g), jam (25g) |
430 |
17 |
| |
| 8 |
Continental |
Average calorie and fat content of the following breakfasts:
2 slices wholemeal bread (72g), 2 slices ham (20g), 2 slices Gouda cheese
1/3 of a baguette (100g), jam (25g), butter (20g), instant coffee (250g), sugar (5g)
1/3 baguette (100g), chocolate nut spread (30g), coco powder (30g), semi-skimmed milk (250g)
2 slices wholemeal toast (62g), chocolate nut spread (30g)
4 Italian breakfast biscuits, glass orange juice, cup of hot chocolate |
438 (average) |
17 (average) |
| |
| 9 |
Hungarian |
Roll with spread, sliced meat, 1 egg, 50g veg |
450 |
19 |
| |
| 10 |
English |
2 slices back bacon (50g), 2 grilled sausages (80g), 1 fried egg, 2 slices wholemeal toast (62g), butter (20g) |
780 |
54 |
• BCIS data provided by Cereal Partners UK, 2008
• The Breakfast Cereal Information Service is a resource providing easily accessible information on breakfast cereals and the breakfast cereal industry on behalf of the Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers (ACFM)
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