•      one in four brits eat breakfast standing up!
•      40% eat at their desks every day
•      Londoners are more likely to eat breakfast whilst in a meeting
•      welsh love to eat breakfast in front of the tv
•      Brits less productive due to lack of brekkie31-08-2010

Breakfast is hailed as the most important meal of the day – but it appears us Brits are not taking any notice and either grabbing something on the way to work or skipping it all together!

Research from the Great British Breakfast Report, commissioned by independent hotel group, Best Western, has revealed that the lack of good food at breakfast time is creating a less than productive working nation.

The report reveals that one in three Brits do not even eat breakfast, with a quarter of those who manage to do so choosing to eat standing up as they rush to get out of the door.  What’s more, 40% of British workers eat breakfast at their desks each day with only 8% actually enjoying the experience.   Hardly a surprise when over 50% spend less than five minutes wolfing down the most popular choice of  cereal or toast.

To get the nation back to full working order Best Western, who have won awards for their breakfasts, has developed the Business Breakfast Menu to set their guests up for the most productive day ahead. Working with nutritional therapist, Dora Walsh, the group have launched four different breakfast menus, perfect for helping business people succeed in this tricky time as the country works hard to pull itself out of recession.  Dora comments: “Everything from our creativity to our ability to cope with stress could be a result of what we eat for breakfast.  From clinching that all-important deal to sweet talking clients, whether it is muesli or a full fry up, what you start your day with will help or hinder it.
‘Eating grilled kippers at breakfast are great for the brain and concentration, while mushrooms are known to support immunity.  For the more image-conscious among us, pumpkin seeds can improve the condition of our skin, leaving us looking the business at work!”
The Best Western Business Breakfast Menu features the Energiser, Beauty, Creativity & Concentration and Stress Buster and is now available at selected hotels. The energiser breakfast, packed with baked beans and wholegrain toast, provides a sustained release of energy and nutrients to set you up for a busy day ahead.  It’s perfect with a glass of tomato juice for vitamin C.

For a day with a big pitch to nail Dora recommends the creativity and concentration breakfast, its tasty and provides essential nutrients and a slow release of energy to facilitate concentration for focus and creativity.  It’s all about the eggs with wholemeal toast and either grilled kippers or smoked salmon, which are great for the brain.

For a busy day with big decisions to make you need the stress buster breakfast.  This nutritional profile could help you manage the stress of the day and calm your senses, helping you remain clear no matter what is thrown at you throughout.  Try a camomile tea whilst enjoying the porridge packed with the calming amino acid tryptophan and chopped bananas.

Looking good makes you feel good. So, when in need of an image boost try the beauty breakfast -perfect for the image conscious before leaving the house in the morning. It’s full of Greek yogurt to repairs the skin, pumpkin seeds and cranberries for collagen. Wash it down with a smoothie packed with vitamins.

Dora comments: “Everything from our creativity to our ability to cope with stress could be a result of what we eat for breakfast.  From clinching that all-important deal to sweet talking clients, whether it is muesli or a full fry up, what you start your day with will help or hinder it.
 
‘Eating grilled kippers at breakfast are great for the brain and concentration, while mushrooms are known to support immunity.  For the more image-conscious among us, pumpkin seeds can improve the condition of our skin, leaving us looking the business at work!”

Best Western are trialling their new Business Breakfast Menu at a number of their independent hotels across Great Britain.  Each hotel also offers regional specialities for guests making them extra special.
 
Talking about the reasons behind the new menus Tim Wade, Head of Marketing at Best Western says: “It’s hardly surprising that we are eating all the wrong things for breakfast when as a nation we only dedicate 5 minutes a day for it. It is the most important meal for getting the best out of your day and at Best Western we are proud to have won awards for our breakfasts.”

“A large proportion of our guests are staying on business and with big meetings to go to we commissioned these new menus to offer them the chance to shine above their peers. With a good night’s sleep and one of our breakfasts inside them they will be ready to tackle anything!”
 
For more information about Best Western hotels visit www.bestwestern.co.uk.b