Public Servant Lifestyle

A food event in Scotland is stressing the importance of a healthy breakfast as the most important meal of the day.

A healthy, nutritious Scottish breakfast gets the day off to a great start as well as boosting the economy and helping the environment, Scottish Environment Minister Mike Russell claimed, at the launch of Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

Breakfasting with Donald Biggar, Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), to mark Farmhouse Breakfast Week, Mr Russell said: "It's a well-worn maxim but it really is true: breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

"Not only does it give you the start you need to the day but by choosing the right ingredients you can improve your health, support the Scottish food industry and cut down on the environmental impact of food production, manufacture and retail. Farmhouse Breakfast Week is a great reminder of the huge variety of healthy, seasonal, mouth-watering Scottish produce on offer the length and breadth of the country.

Healthier, Wealthier, Greener Scotland

"It also comes at a time when food, and the way it is produced and sold, has never been higher in the public's consciousness...The discussion lets people have their say about food. What excites them? What frustrates them? What do they want to see done differently? These views will help us develop our first-ever national food policy, designed to secure a healthier, wealthier, greener Scotland. I'd encourage everyone to visit www.scotland.gov.uk/food and have their say."

Donald Biggar said: "I know from my own experience that eating a good breakfast sets you up for the rest of the day. In Scotland we are fortunate to have nutritious, tasty and fresh produce right on our own doorstep and I was delighted that the Minister was able to start his day in the best possible way."

Mr Russell and Mr Biggar tucked into a plate of sausage, bacon, egg and tomatoes on wholegrain bread, all produced in Scotland and sourced from Scottish food companies.

Meat, Eggs & Cereal

Meat, eggs and cereal products, in the right amounts and along with fruit and fish, provide a balanced breakfast. There is a large variety of seasonal Scottish produce on offer to consumers throughout the year. Following breakfast, Mr Russell toured Mr Biggar's farm, a beef and sheep enterprise specialising in producing Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus cattle.

QMS is a long-time supporter of the campaign. QMS has supplied a 180lbs of bacon and nearly 2000 sausages to Scottish schools as part of this year's Farmhouse Breakfast Week. Research carried out by Cardiff University School of Psychology has shown that eating breakfast helps improve cognitive function in children.

Research also shows that essential nutrients missed at breakfast are less likely to to be compensated for during other meals of the day. However, according to a survey from YouGov, 48% of people said they are not hungry or do not have time for breakfast every morning.

Farmhouse Breakfast Week is organised by the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA). The theme this year is 'A Great Start' and events are taking place across the UK.

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