Have a Grade A breakfast

A survey showed that 90 percent of the highest academically endowed Westminster University students eat breakfast every morning, with 80 percent waking up before 9am to eat a good breakfast.

It also showed that cereal is the preferred breakfast food with over ninety percent of those surveyed rejected having eggs, bacon or beans for breakfast in favour of cereal and milk, whilst sixty percent enjoyed a cup of tea first thing in the morning, instead of coffee.

Lisa Smith, Nutritionist and member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT), said: “Eating breakfast is a little bit like filling a near-empty car with gas – with a good breakfast in your “tank”, you’re fuelled for the rest of the day. Without breakfast, you’ll get started but, like that near-empty car, soon you’ll be sputtering, running out of energy and looking anywhere for a re-fill – and for most people, that usually means another cup of coffee, along with an unhealthy, high-carb snack and then eating too much at lunch and dinner.

“Increasing glucose concentration and nutrient supply to the central nervous system by eating breakfast regularly, improves cognitive functions and in particular short term memory skills.

“It is no surprise that by eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast regularly, helps improve student’s grades.”

Skipping breakfast on the other hand is known to wreak havoc on the metabolism. Low blood sugar first thing in the morning translates to low energy and a quick sugar rush helps just temporarily, leading to a just-as-quick nosedive, which can also affect mood, resulting in irritability and short temper, Ms Smith said.

Reena Chadee, winner of a High Academic Achievement award at Westminster University, said: “I make sure I eat breakfast every morning. A good bowl of cereal mixed with some fruits and a cup of tea is the best way to start my day. I feel fresher, more relaxed and concentrated in lessons.”

The notion that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is just as true – if not more – for children as it is for students and adults.

A number of research studies have concluded that starting each day with a good breakfast has an important, positive impact on a child’s development, both physically and mentally.

One study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (2005) found that “children who reported eating breakfast on a consistent basis tended to have superior nutritional profiles than their breakfast-skipping peers…were less likely to be overweight... [and that] breakfast consumption may improve cognitive function related to memory, test grades, and school attendance”.

Lisa Smith has compiled the ideal breakfast plan for those students who wish to achieve higher grades.

This includes eating complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, omega 3 fatty acids, such as ground flax and linseed seeds and fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, apples and pears.