Bone health starts with breakfast

New research has confirmed that a nutritious breakfast not only improves mental functioning and helps control weight, but also improves bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and other bone disorders.

Research cited in the June edition of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association , indicates that adequate calcium, protein and fibre for girls in the teenage years is important in reducing the risk of poor bone health later in life.

Aussie Bodies nutritionist Natasha Zamburro says the findings support what she has been advising clients for years.

"Much of a woman's bone mass is built during early puberty and the teenage years. At this time a girl requires plenty of readily absorbed calcium, along with quality protein to help form strong bones, as well as healthy muscles, skin, hair and nails," Zamburro says.

"Unfortunately most girls are not getting the morning nutrition they need for healthy bones. Many opt for breakfast cereals that are high in sugar and too low in protein, fibre and calcium. Disturbingly some get by on just a coffee or juice if they're not skipping breakfast altogether.

"Furthermore, many females have difficulty stomaching food first thing in the morning and would prefer to drink. An excellent choice all round is Aussie Bodies Start The Day breakfast drink because it provides a good nutritional balance, with significant amounts of calcium, protein and fibre, while delivering on taste and time-saving convenience."

According to the research, over 75 percent of girls (in the US) at age 9 ate breakfast, while by age 19 the figure dropped to about 30 percent.

Many cereal companies have developed a range of ready-to-eat breakfast bars and drinks, partly to capture the attention of the youth market. However authors of the article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association are scathing about the inadequate offerings from major cereal companies. They contend that most ready-to-eat cereals – especially those aimed at children –contained more sugar and refined grains.

"To maximise the potential benefits of breakfast consumption, it is important to distinguish between simply promoting breakfast versus the consumption of a healthful breakfast," wrote the review authors. "Breakfast should include a variety of healthful foods that are high in nutritive value yet do not provide excess energy."

Zamburro supports this claim. "It is easy to win your way into the stomachs of adolescents with sugary snacks, cleverly marketed as breakfast, but the real challenge is to provide them with quality nutrition that will stand them in good stead over the years."

Aussie Bodies Start The Day breakfast drink provides 20g protein, an optimum 12.5g fibre, and only 6g sugar. It gives a significant head start on your daily calcium requirement with 360mg (44 percent of the Australian recommended daily intake). The product breaks new ground in a market filled with sugary alternatives.