Day 2

Most of us have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why? Well in simple terms, a fibre-rich breakfast sets up your digestion for the day ahead and good digestion is key for overall general health and vitality. Studies undertaken by Kellogg’s for their SOS: Save Our Stomachs campaign, which aims to encourage people to up their daily intake of fibre, found that almost one in five women skip breakfast at least twice a week and this can be a cause of poor digestive health*. This oversight has a cumulative effect resulting in eight out of ten eating less fibre than is recommended, which in turn can cause tummy trouble such as bloating or discomfort. In fact, this survey of women aged between 18 and 60 found that 89% experience stomach complaints at least once a week and 21% have had to take time off work as a result of the problem*.

So, there are the stats, what’s the solution? I talked to Dr Ciara Kelly, who is the ambassador of the All Bran SOS campaign (and all-round health guru!) about her general advice for us.

How important is it to get the right balance of fibre in your diet?

Extremely important. Seeing as?up to 30% of people are constipated at any given time*, and it affects women more than men, especially as they get older or when they’re pregnant.

What is the easiest way to incorporate it?

Cereal fibre, especially the wheat bran fibre found in Kellogg’s All-Bran, is effective when it comes to managing your digestive health, so starting your day with a high fibre cereal gets you off to a great start. A bowl of All-Bran has as much as 11g of fibre in it – almost half of your daily requirement and significantly more than some other cereals. Add that to a diet that’s high in water, incorporates your five a day fruit and veg – and choose wholegrain types of carbohydrates for optimum digestive well being.

Listening to Ciara really served to motivate me and I’m on day two of my Five Day Challenge. Today I had a bowl of All Bran with low fat milk with a handful of raspberries on top. It was tasty, easy (of course) and what’s more I made the effort, despite the rush, to sit down at the table instead of running around in the usual rush. That alone, feels a better start to my day.

*Kellogg’s All-Bran SOS: Save Our Stomachs European Research Study (2013). Conducted by Edelman Berland