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Top nutritionist reveals the popular staple you should NEVER eat for breakfast… and what to grab instead

Top nutritionist reveals the popular staple you should NEVER eat for breakfast… and what to grab instead

The Irish Sun16-06-2025
A TOP nutritionist has revealed the one thing you shouldn't eat for breakfast – chocolate spread.
Nichola Ludlam-Raine has shared how to get your day off to the best possible start – and why some of
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Fry ups are sadly off the list of healthy brekkies
Credit: SWNS
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Slices of white toast with chocolate or biscuit spread are slammed, for being 'carb heavy' and lacking in fibre,
Nichola revealed unfortunate truths about the nation's favourite morning meals, including that there can be up to 14 teaspoons of sugar in a bowl of
She also shared ideas for nourishing yet delicious alternatives to jumpstart your day, keep you satisfied through the
Nichola, who partnered with St. Dalfour [
Read more Health
'As a dietitian, I recommend switching to sourdough or
"Adding some fruit in the form of sliced banana or
'A great hack is to keep a 'diversity jar' of mixed seeds handy - I always suggest this to my patients - to sprinkle on
It comes after research revealed breakfast is the least healthy way to start the day for many Brits – with 31 per cent still favouring the
Most read in Health
Other top morning meals respondents routinely reached for were a classic bowl of cereal,
But a quarter rarely or never think about
Drinks to avoid if you want to stay energised, according to nutritionist Kayla Daniels
As a result, 32 per cent at least sometimes feel guilty about their breakfast choice.
They also found themselves feeling jealous of other nations' early morning offerings, primarily the French,
Nichola added: 'There's no one-size-fits-all 'perfect' breakfast, but generally, poorer choices tend to be those that are high in added sugars and low in fibre, such as many boxed sugar or honey-coated cereals, white toast with sugary chocolate or biscuit spreads, and pastries, or high in saturated fat and low in plant-based nutrients like
'But you don't have to give these up altogether – why not adapt your next full English instead?
"Swap fried
'Use wholegrain toast and cook with minimal added fat – reduced salt or sugar
'Other favourite breakfasts you can adapt include porridge or
'Avoid over-sweetening with sugar or
"Adding plain yoghurt, or serving kefir alongside, will help to boost the protein content for satiety too.
'This will help to avoid blood sugar spikes followed by dips – which can leave you
'We should also ideally take the time to chew properly and avoid eating on the go – eating too quickly can impair digestion and may lead to feeling sluggish or
'Where possible, aim to sit down and eat mindfully, even if just for a few minutes – and if in a rush, prepare a simple breakfast box with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to grab on busy mornings.'
The research also found 48 per cent of adults eat a
But more would reach for a healthier option if it was more convenient (40 per cent) or tasted just as good as what they usually eat (39 per cent).
While 53 per cent indulge in processed and
Rowland Hill, a spokesperson for St. Dalfour added: 'It's wonderful to see so many of us are becoming more conscious of the negative effects of
'But we also believe we shouldn't have to sacrifice flavour to enjoy a decadent treat and look after ourselves.
'That's why we want to inspire audiences to enjoy a touch of French flair at breakfast — or any time of day — with our C'est Parfait recipe inspiration."
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Chocolate spread is a no-go, according to a top nutritionist
Credit: Getty
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Fruits are a key part of a healthy start to the day
Credit: Getty
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Old faithful porridge provides slow release energy throughout the day
Credit: Getty
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How to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes According to Diabetes UK, there are a few diet tweaks you can make to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes: Choose drinks without added sugar - skip out the sugar in your tea and coffee and stay away from fizzy and energy drinks Eat whole grains such as brown rice, wholewheat pasta, wholemeal flour, wholegrain bread and oats instead of refined carbs Cut down on red and processed meat like bacon, ham, sausages, pork, beef and lamb Eat plenty of fruit and veg - apples, grapes, berries, and green leafy veg such as spinach, kale, watercress, and rocket have been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes Have unsweetened yoghurt and cheese Cut down on booze - and have a few days a week with none at all Have healthy snacks like unsweetened yoghurt, unsalted nuts, seeds and fruit and veg Eat healthy fats included in nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil Cut down on salt Get your vitamins and minerals from food instead of tablets

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