Who says breakfast is the most important meal of the day?
Kellogg’s and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Kellogg’s has an obvious bias but here’s why Johns Hopkins believes in the AM meal:
• Breakfast provides you with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration in the classroom [or workplace].
• Studies show that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Hunger sets in long before it’s time for lunch, but because it’s not convenient to eat properly, many people who have not eaten breakfast snack on foods that are high in fat and sugar.
• People who skip breakfast are unlikely to make up their daily requirement for some vitamins and minerals that a simple breakfast would have provided.
• Breakfast provides energy for the activities during the morning and helps to prevent that mid-morning slump.
Although science and consumerism both suggest that breakfast really is the most important part of the day a recent study conducted by Kellogg’s Specialty Channels suggests that many people aren’t taking the time to enjoy a healthy AM meal.
The study used an online survey to poll 1,508 consumers of which over half ate breakfast on the go on a regular basis. Based on their responses Kellogg’s divided consumers into 5 categories:
1. Discerning Dashers
2. Gulp n’ Runners
3. Ninja Munchers
4. Sedentary Socializers
5. Sit n’ Savorers
Here are some things that define consumers in each category:
Discerning Dashers – Just want something for a quick boost, they’re in a hurry and tend to graze. Although they’re conscious about money, their number one priority is that whatever they eat they can pick up quickly on the way to wherever they’re going.
Gulp n’ Runners – They only want a beverage (think coffee or Big Gulp) and know they will have a larger meal later.
Ninja Munchers – These ninjas don’t plan, they aren’t overly concerned about health (i.e. a soda for breakfast is totally acceptable) and are always in a hurry so content to sacrifice eating even when they’re hungry.
Sedentary Socializers – This group consists largely of retirees. They enjoy spending money on food, like options and have the luxury of sleeping in so don’t mind eating later in the day.
Sit n’ Savorers – Average age of this group is 51 years old and you’re likely to find them in a café or sit down restaurant for breakfast ordering something healthy.
3 of the 5 categories involved dashing, running or ninja chomping at breakfast, while the remaining 2 almost required consumers to be retired in order to enjoy a peaceful and healthy meal.
So what does this mean for you and your workforce?
It means that regardless of what type of snack and beverage program (vending, pantry, micro markets) you are offering your Inland Empire employees you want to make sure that you are offering healthy and portable breakfast items: granola bars, bagels, fresh fruit, coffee, etc. because your employees are very likely not getting the fuel they need before leaving home.
You may also want to consider working with your wellness committee to help promote breakfast amongst your Inland Empire employees so that they are better prepared for the day. Here are some tips from Johns Hopkins
• Pick 2-3 foods, including at least one from each of the following food groups:
-bread and grain (i.e. Cereal, toast, muffin)
-milk and milk product (i.e. low-fat yogurt, low-fat milk)
-fruit or vegetable group (i.e. bananas, apples, carrots)
• Pick up portable breakfast items when at the grocery store. You should buy foods like fruit, low-fat yogurt, whole grain breakfast bars, or granola bars for those mornings when you have to eat breakfast on the go.
• Replace or accompany that morning cup of coffee with a glass of orange juice or milk.
• Make an omelet! You can shorten preparation time by chopping up your vegetables ahead of time.
• Get up 15 minutes earlier. You can fix and consume a healthy breakfast in 15 minutes or less.
• Plan ahead to eat breakfast. This means you should decide what you are going to eat for breakfast before the next morning. You can save time by putting out the box of cereal or cutting up some fruit the night before.

Looking for a break room solution for you Inland Empire location? Call Dependable Vending today at 800.785.3803 ext. 223 for a free no-obligation consultation of your vending needs.

Dependable Break Room Solutions

  • Vending

  • Coffee

  • Micro Markets
  • Water & Ice

  • Pantry Service

Start experiencing consistent break room service that saves time, shows your employees your care, and boosts office morale.