A nutrition expert has pinpointed the one ingredient he'd avoid in the classic full fry-up breakfast because of its levels of unhealthiness. Britain's love for a traditional "full English" is undeniable, with breakfast plates heaped with fried eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, hash browns and toast. Yet lurking among this delightful mountain of food are high-calorie culprits.
Daniel Herman, a respected nutritionist and founder of Bio-Synergy, has suggested what part of the breakfast to forego for a healthier choice, revealing his thoughts on the most fattening ingredient we should be avoiding. Stating his position, Daniel revealed: "Breakfast is definitely my favourite meal, and a full English is a real treat, however it does have some drawbacks. Probably the best item to leave off the menu/plate is the fried bread."
While the golden brown pieces of bread sizzled in butter might be a tempting addition, they are unfortunately packed with excess calories (supermarket bread is also packed with ultra-processed foods — you can read what happened when one dad cut them out of his diet completely here). Laden with butter, these slices can contribute significantly to weight gain and obesity, reports the Mirror.
Daniel added: "Frying bread in butter adds a significant amount of saturated fat to the dish, which can result in an increased risk of heart disease and high cholesterol levels. Fried bread provides very few essential nutrients compared to whole grain bread or other healthier alternatives. It lacks fibre, vitamins, and minerals that are important for overall health. A diet including a lot of fried foods, including fried bread, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other chronic health conditions."
According to Daniel, the healthiest components of an English breakfast are eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and baked beans. Personal trainer and nutrition coach Alanna Kate Derrick, from Gold BJJ, added: "Don't get me wrong, I absolutely get the appeal - that crispy outer texture giving way to a pillowy soft interior is downright crave-worthy. But from a nutritional perspective, fried white bread tends to be calorically dense yet lacking in vitamins, minerals, fibre and other beneficial nutrients our bodies need. The high heat and oil it's cooked in can also render some of the existing nutrients less bioavailable."
Daniel advised exchanging fried bread for toasted whole grain bread. This is higher in fibre and nutrients compared to white bread, he said. Speaking to the Express, he suggested: "Mash up some avocado and spread it on whole grain toast for a nutritious and delicious alternative to fried bread. Avocado provides healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals."
