Holiday Inn Express serves up the importance of breakfast

All but 8% in the survey agreed that breakfast gives the brain energy through out the day, helps maintain a healthy diet, helps the digesting process in the body and is essential for mental and physical health.

According to a survey released by Holiday Inn Express and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), 92% of people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region understand the importance of breakfast.

All but 8% in the survey, which included 200 working people in MENA aged 18 and above, agreed that breakfast gives the brain energy through out the day, helps maintain a healthy diet, helps the digesting process in the body and is essential for mental and physical health.

However, even though majority understood the importance of the meal and its benefits, 34% of people from the survey still chose not have breakfast.

Lack of time and not having their breakfast prepared for them came out as the two biggest setbacks for skipping the meal.

While other excuses included people thinking a cup of coffee or tea was sufficient enough to get through the morning, some preferred a smoke over the meal and others do not have an appetite in the morning or think not having breakfast would help their diet.

Of those who do have breakfast, the survey conducted found that 76% eat breakfast on a daily basis while 17% have it 3 times a week and the rest choose breakfast only on working days or once a week.

Also of those who have breakfast, 58% have it in the comfort of their home before starting off their day while 32% have theirs once they get to work due to time constraint.

Others also have breakfast at a restaurant and for some it varies between home and work depending on the situation and time.

Popular breakfast choices varied from bread with butter, cheese or jam, croissants, eggs with meat, cereal, fruits, yogurt and pancakes.

Holiday Inn Express' survey also included people's activity during breakfast and found that most people enjoy a conversation, watch TV or prefer to eat as they work.

A significant amount also preferred to listen to the radio or read the paper while eating breakfast.

14% of people enjoy a peaceful breakfast by doing nothing at all and focusing on their meal.

According to studies breakfast provides 25% of daily nutritional requirements.

Those who tend to skip the meal tend to feel tired, restless and irritable and have a negative effect on both short and long term health.

Studies also show that breakfast is a necessary support both mentally and physically.

Breakfasts that are rich in whole grains, fiber and protein boosts attention span, concentration and memory.

Physically, breakfast helps keep weight in check by kick starting metabolism and burn calories.

Holiday Inn Express and IHG's research included a commissioned survey of 200 people across the MENA region.