Herbalife Nutrition Healthy Breakfast Survey in the Philippines

Manila, Philippines – Eating breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why? Because, we break our fasting from long sleep and it's important to refuel once we wake-up to have energy for us to move and work well. Skipping breakfast may lead to overeating which may cause obesity.

In the recent Asia Pacific Healthy Breakfast Survey conducted in February this year by Herbalife Nutrition, there were more than 5,500 respondents in 11 markets, including 500 from the Philippines.

It was intended to show observations of the attitudes and habits of eating breakfast among consumers in the region. The survey revealed that a greater number of respondents understand the importance of a healthy breakfast in promoting their health and in managing their weight. However, many of them experienced hurdles to eating breakfast daily and would encourage them to eat more regularly if it was more convenient and accessible.

Benefits of consuming breakfast

Based on the Herbalife Nutrition Asia Pacific Healthy Breakfast Survey,  the majority (69 percent) of consumers in the Philippines consider breakfast extremely/very important, with 86 percent choosing it as the most important meal of the day. In comparison, only 11 percent opted for lunch opted for lunch and 2 percent for dinner. 

• 99 percent said that eating breakfast gives them energy in the morning
• 96 percent felt that it contributes to their personal well-being

Breakfast Habits

• 84 percent make it a priority to eat their first and most important meal at home
• 67 percent doing so within 1 to 2 hours of walking
• 10 percent would just grab their breakfast at work
• 4 percent on the way to work
• 2 percent do not eat breakfast

What are the consumers in the Philippines eating for breakfast?

According to the survey, 41% of respondents consider protein as the predominant nutrient needed in their breakfast, carbohydrates in fact made up most of the actual breakfast nutrients in the consumption pattern of the respondents. Carbohydrates such as bread or toast and hot beverages top the list of breakfast foods regularly consumed.

Obstacles to a daily breakfast

While the survey indicated that a good majority are eating breakfast, it is also found that many had encountered obstacles to eating it daily. 

       Top 3 barriers:

• 44 percent - lack of time
• 30 percent - don't feel hungry in the morning 
• 18 percent - trying to maintain my weight

Factors that would make them eat breakfast daily

• 54 percent - "If my breakfast contributes to my health and well-being" and "if breakfast helps give me more energy"
• 53 percent - making breakfast readily accessible
• 48 percent - having something that is more convenient and easy

Breakfast is often known as the most important meal of the day. Consuming a healthy breakfast can have wide-ranging benefits on the human body, including:

• supporting the body's metabolism
• better brain health
• improved mental alertness
• muscle mass maintenance
• improved digestion 

According to the Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy, every meal consumed should have a calorie intake breakdown of :

• 40 percent carbohydrates should include some fruits and vegetables)
• 30 percent protein
• 30 percent fats

According to Mr. Chin-Kun Wang, Ph.D, Nutrition Advisory Board Member, Herbalife Nutrition, during the Asia Pacific Wellness Tour in the Philippines, "After one night rest, you need energy. Some people would like to control their body weight, and will combine breakfast and lunch. Without breakfast you cannot regulate hunger. Without breakfast you will eat a lot at lunch. Food absorption is very high without breakfast, so this is the problem. We should provide balanced breakfast."

Skipping breakfast is not beneficial. Less energy to do some chores or works, and may also affect our mood. It will just boost hunger that will make us eat a lot at lunch.  For a healthy life, eat a healthy breakfast with balanced nutrition.