Ever wondered why people skip breakfast in Nigeria. It is obvious many of those who skip breakfast do not know that it is the most important meal of the day. Whether your goal is weight loss or simply to be healthy, it is important that you make eating breakfast especially bread and butter such as Mamador Light Fat Spread a regular habit. This report examines the benefits of taking breakfast. Seyi John Salau writes
Studies have shown that consuming breakfast greatly decreases hunger throughout the day. A report by WebMD on food recipes clarifies that breakfast kick-starts consumer’s metabolism, helps to burn calories throughout the day. “It also gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus at work or at school”.
But a lot of people skip breakfast to avoid extra calories. By eating a high fibre, nutrient-filled breakfast early in the morning, you are actually less likely to be hungry throughout the day.
However, by eating breakfast to start your day, you will jumpstart your metabolism and be well on your way to reach your health goals, say experts. It is, however, incomprehensible why many people in Nigeria, especially Lagos are skipping the morning meal, considering the various evidences by experts to show the importance of taking breakfast. The report by WebMD further cited other reports that linked eating breakfast to good health, including better memory and concentration, lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, and lower chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, and being overweight.
According to a recent market research by NPD group as quoted by oatsovernight wesite, approximately 18% of males and 13% of females between the ages of 35 and 54 skip breakfast in the US. This data may not be different in Nigeria. What this indicates is the fact that people are always on the move, hasting to get out in the morning, hence skipping breakfast and not considering the health implications.
Sherese Ijewere, a nutrition consultant and CEO of Carib Health Ltd, based in Lagos told BD Sunday that, adding breakfast to your eating pattern is a major step to improving your lifestyle. “Food is fuel. Many studies have emphasized the importance of breakfast. If you want to make the most of your day, fuel your body early with the right stuff”.
According to Ijewere, a good breakfast is one that provides at least one-third of the day’s calories. This is also for children, he stated. “It is essential for children to have breakfast; it keeps them alert, attentive and focused. Studies have linked healthy breakfast with less chronic diseases but increases longevity and better health,” said Ijewere.
“This is vital because breakfast provides the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast; that is where its name originates, breaking the fast. Without breakfast you are effectively running empty, like trying to start a car with no petrol”, he said.
Ijewere warned that the effects of a skipped breakfast are short attention span, lack of alertness, longer reaction time, low blood sugar, decreased work productivity. “Glucose is the basic fuel for the brain and central nervous system. A good breakfast will keep you from being tired and irritable by mid-morning,” Ijewere stated.
Apart from providing consumers with energy, breakfast foods are good sources of important nutrients such as calcium, iron and B vitamins as well as protein and fibre. The body needs these essential nutrients and research shows that if these are missing at breakfast, they are less likely to be compensated for later in the day.
“Most people give a variety of reasons for not eating breakfast. Such as, “I am never hungry in the morning”, or “I don’t have time”. Important as we make time for everything else, we should make time for taking care of our body.
“Many people eat late meals or snack late at night. When they go to bed, the body is still busy digesting all that food. Digestion slows down during the hours of sleep and there is still food in the stomach in the morning. The stomach needs a rest too. When you wake up in the morning, it is recommended to drink at least 2 glasses of room temperature water. The water rehydrates your body from the night sleep (as we become dehydrated at night – sweating, breathing) wakes you up, and helps the bowel move freely.
“When you get up in the morning, your glucose or blood sugar level is at its lowest point in the day. Glucose is the basic fuel for the brain and central nervous system. A good breakfast will keep you from being tired and irritable by mid-morning”.
Therefore, if you are not sure of what to take for breakfast, you can go for bread, spread with butter. Some of those who spoke to BD Sunday endorsed bread with Mamador Light Fat Spread. “Yes, a little fat is good for you if it’s the right kind of fat”, a consumer said.
Others who have used the brand for bread, commended the rich and quality of the product from the stable of PZ Cussons. In July 2018, the multinational company extended its footprints into the spreads category by introducing the Mamador Light Fat Spread into the Nigerian market.
More consumers who spoke to BDSunday on the importance of breakfast, especially the reasons for combining bread and butter at breakfast said both are inseparable.
Franka Ihentuge, a nurse and mother of four said, there is no breakfast especially with bread for family without butter. “For me, it is nutritious and easy to digest, unlike when there is no butter. Spreading butter on bread makes breakfast appetizing”, she said.
Mary Ogbaki, a teacher based in Lagos said she often cook with butter or spread butter on bread for breakfast. “I love butter because of its softness on bread,” she says.
Agatha Ukamaka however said, “bread and butter is delicious, especially when you are using Mamador,” stating that her family enjoys taking soft butter spread on slices of bread because, “good bread and good butter go together”.
“Among other foods, addition of Mamador Light Fat Spread into bread or other food is one of the breakfast meals needed for healthy living because of the immense nutritional value it contains. It is cholesterol free and trans-fat free, and contains 30 per cent daily allowance of required vitamins. The Mamador product was launched in two variants: classic spread; and particularly, the Light Fat Spread which emphasises ‘health and taste’ benefits,” said Omobolanle Akin-Fatodu, the Assistant Brand Manager, Mamador.
Eating breakfast equally presents an excellent occasion to eat together as a family when possible. Hence, establishing good breakfast habits in childhood and maintaining them throughout adolescence may be an important factor in reducing the prevalence of breakfast skipping and developing good eating habits that last a lifetime.
“The Mamador Light Fat Spread doesn’t just make your meal taste better; it also makes your meals healthier. Having no cholesterol and being trans-fat free, it is the perfect breakfast option, leaving your breakfast with not just a rich buttery taste, but also seven essential vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, B6, B12, folic acid and Niacin. Omobolanle recommends Mamador breakfast with the Light Fat Spread for those who want their breakfasts tastier, healthier, juicier and more exciting.
According to her, the Mamador light fat spread is PZ Wilmar contribution to making breakfast tastier and healthier for Nigerians. “This product can be enjoyed with bread, you can also throw in some eggs and vegetables and you have a soft and sumptuous sandwich. If you are a toast lover, lay the Light Fat Spread on your bread slices, add your eggs, and make crunchy toast bread with a moist juicy interior”, said Omobolanle who stated that it is “to make your breakfast tastier, creamier and healthier”.
