Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that’s a fact backed by research, including one in 2017 stating that food eaten in the morning greatly impacts physical and mental well-being for the entire day. A recently published research also shows that skipping breakfast may be associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Given current stay-at-home orders, breakfast items and recipes have seen a resurgence both online and in stores. In the US alone, ready-to-eat cereals increased sales at the peak of the crisis, according to food company giant Kerry. In the Philippines, small-scale bakeries selling pandesal, a Filipino breakfast staple, have been thriving (in both sales and production) given the bread’s affordable price. Both cases may be explained by the convenience of buying these breakfast items as well as the little to no preparation time.
The online food community is even reeling from having plenty of breakfast hacks shared around social media especially on TikTok. There are pancake cereals, a new trend making waves online that combines two of the most common breakfast food items around the world. IHOP has since pounced on this opportunity by teasing a similar product in the works—its own pancake cereal called Panflakes.
Although restaurants and food stalls offering morning specials on their menu aren’t exactly new, there’s something special that keeps them in the consciousness of customers. It is a familiar meal that appeals to all ages and is often prepared in an uncomplicated, straightforward manner.
It evokes a sense of comfort and nostalgia, with most linked with childhood memories. This appeals to breakfastarians—people who love to eat breakfast food at any time of the day—and explains the rise of all-day breakfast restaurants. Just take cues from local favorites serving all-day breakfast meals such as Nono’s, Kanto Freestyle Breakfast and crowd favorite Ate Rica’s Bacsilog.
Restaurants should also consider serving healthy alternatives aside from the usual dairy and carb-heavy meals. Smoothie bowls, muesli, healthy toasts, and granola bowls can be healthy alternatives to the usual go-to breakfast meals.
It’s hard to go wrong with breakfast food. It’s simple and easy to prepare, making it a sensible approach for restaurants seeking new ways to keep afloat during times like this.