Bacon and Eggs, What Did You Have for Breakfast Today?

Is Breakfast the Most Important Meal of the Day?

I enjoy almost everything breakfast offers... just not right after waking up.

For years, we've been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But is it really?

Decades ago, most working Americans opted for a lighter breakfast: coffee, tea, milk, or juice paired with a simple bread roll—no bacon, no eggs, no biscuits & gravy.

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So when did the "diner-style" American breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns come into play?

Enter Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud and a master propagandist. In the 1920s, he played a key role in introducing bacon and eggs to the American breakfast, all in the pursuit of profit.

Bernays was hired by Beech-Nut Packing Co. to boost bacon sales. He advocated for a hearty breakfast, akin to what farmers or lumberjacks might eat. He knew he was going to need experts on his side, so he persuaded 4,500 physicians and 5,000 of their colleagues to endorse this idea.

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With thousands of doctors seemingly in agreement, newspapers across the country published the results, convincing the public that a heavier breakfast was healthier.

But as history has shown, just because experts endorse something doesn't necessarily make it true, similar to the days when doctors recommended Camel cigarettes, don’t worry these cigarettes are good for you.

Today, 70 percent of bacon consumption in the U.S. happens between 6 and 10 AM, a testament to Bernays' influence.

But what else qualifies as breakfast food?

Dutch colonists brought waffles to America in the 1600s. Pioneers favored cornmeal-based breakfasts, while oatmeal was often eaten for dinner—a bit backward, but understandable.

Cornpone and Johnny cakes were staples on the Oregon Trail, and ham and egg sandwiches gained popularity after the Civil War, though they weren't strictly morning fare. The first breakfast sandwich recipe was published in 1897 and lives on today in many different incarnations.

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In the 1800s, popcorn cereal became a breakfast trend, and in the 1920s, cold breakfast cereals surged in popularity, influenced by the Clean Living Movement.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg created the first prepared cold breakfast cereal marketed to American consumers in 1878, which he named granola. This revolutionary product consisted of baked wheat, oatmeal, and cornmeal, marking the debut of brand-name breakfast cereal in the United States.

Why are certain foods deemed suitable for breakfast while similar options aren't?

Consider pancakes, they fall under the breakfast category despite containing the same ingredients and sugar content as cake. Yet, you won't find birthday cake on any breakfast menu.

And why isn't pie considered a breakfast item when a jelly doughnut is? They're essentially the same, just prepared differently. Next time you crave a doughnut, why not opt for a slice of pie instead?

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For me, I don't prioritize any one meal over the others, but I do think that beginning your day with nutritious, wholesome food lays a foundation for dietary success throughout the day.

What does that entail?

It means that if your initial meal is nourishing, you might be less tempted to indulge in a doughnut or a bag of Doritos later on.

A nutritious breakfast can aid in maintaining overall good health and could arguably be considered the most critical meal of the day, although ultimately, that's for you to decide.