The question of what constitutes the ultimate breakfast to conquer the day has sparked a lively debate among readers, with answers ranging from the practical to the indulgent. In a recent discussion, sparked by the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, readers were asked to share their go-to morning meals, and the responses were as varied as they were passionate.
Classic Choices and Athletic Fuel
Many readers championed traditional, hearty options. "Steel-cut oatmeal. Everybody knows that," asserted Jay Robinson, while another reader, yogainspain, emphasized a breakfast that "stops you feeling hungry until five minutes before lunch." For athletes, the focus is on performance. A nutritionist for Spain's football team recommends pasta or rice with chicken or fish, or scrambled eggs on toast, with a little soy sauce permitted. This echoes the sentiment that a champion's breakfast should be both sustaining and nutritious.
However, not all champions stick to the conventional. Lester Piggott, the 11-time champion jockey, reportedly breakfasted on a cigar and a cough, a testament to the unique demands of his sport. Similarly, a sumo wrestler's breakfast would differ vastly from a chess champion's, as reader Goldgreen pointed out: "Surely it depends on the champion."
Indulgent and Unconventional Favorites
Some readers opted for more indulgent starts. "Champagne," declared RBEtuta, while dfic1999 simply said "Cheesecake." The late-night leftover curry, washed down with brown ale, was a favorite for Jason90, who described it as "for real champions." Another reader, unclestinky, recommended a "leftover takeaway curry and a bloody caesar," calling it a "kill or cure" approach. Cold pizza and warm beer were suggested by DavidGervais as the perfect morning-after meal for sports hero wannabes.
The cultural references were not lost on readers. One noted that in Kurt Vonnegut's novel Breakfast of Champions, the waitress says "breakfast of champions" to every customer she serves a martini to, hinting at a more liquid start to the day. Another reader, adamcgf, suggested that chorizo cooked slowly so the spiced fat runs, dunked into the yolk of a fried egg, is a champion's choice.
Health-Conscious and Practical Options
For those focused on health and longevity, the responses leaned toward high-protein and high-fiber meals. Rebekah Zinn from Olympia, Washington, described her 10-year routine: "plain, high-protein Greek yoghurt, berries or other fruit and a sprinkle of muesli," noting that "the protein keeps me full, the muesli gives good mouthfeel and the berries are high in flavour and antioxidants." Similarly, Mark Fletcher shared his new breakfast of 5% fat Greek yoghurt with a variety of nuts and seeds, which keeps him going until dinner.
Intermittent fasting also found its advocates. One reader, leadballoon, cited research suggesting that restricting eating hours to eight or nine hours may reduce cognitive decline in older age, with meals typically between 10am and 6pm. They noted, "The body releases the most insulin – the hormone that helps move sugar from blood into cells – from 12-6pm, and the lowest during sleep," supporting the idea that eating earlier in the day may be less metabolically efficient.
Humorous and Retro Picks
Humor was not in short supply. One reader, manicstteacher, opted for "a rollie and a large mug of black coffee," while another suggested "a pint of ice-cold Diet Coke" as a past remedy. The "Gutbuster" from Brighton's Market Diner was fondly remembered by bricklayersoption, who described it as "nearly everything on a decent caff menu, apart from perhaps Spam, on one plate," so effective it could scare off troublemakers with its halitosis.
Others found inspiration in literature and history. Ben Greene recalled a leadership course where the answer was "feedback," a metaphor for growth. EddieChorepost noted that Suleiman the Magnificent favored "turkey with all the trimmings," though bricklayersoption added, "Only when he got Hungary."
Ultimately, the true breakfast of champions is as diverse as the champions themselves. Whether it's a simple bowl of porridge, a lavish spread, or even a martini, the key is finding what sets you up to win the day. As one reader, exlangrandeflaneuse, cheekily put it, "Sex, breakfast of champions!" – a reminder that sometimes the best start to the day isn't food at all.
