Skipping breakfast is never a good idea. Yet it’s an increasingly common habit: about 30% of Italians admit they do it. However, not everyone realizes how much it can affect daily performance — in fact, it can compromise energy levels, concentration, and, in the long run, even overall health. After a night of fasting, our body needs “fuel”: several studies, including a recent one published in Nutrients, confirm that those who systematically skip the first meal of the day increase their risk of metabolic syndrome and, consequently, chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
Breakfast, in short, is much more than a daily gesture: it’s the moment that jump-starts the metabolism, regulates hormones, and prepares body and mind for the day ahead. But while nutrition experts agree on this point, one big debate remains open: what is the “right” kind of breakfast? Continental or Anglo-Saxon?
The continental tradition, typical of European countries, favors a sweet and light start to the day: coffee, cappuccino or tea, bread, jam, yogurt, cereals, and fruit. The English or American breakfast, on the other hand, is more substantial and savory: eggs, bacon, sausages, cheeses, and protein-rich foods.
There is no universally better option: much depends on one’s lifestyle, daily activities, and even the personal wellness journey one is following.



