Thursday, April 3, 2008

Sunny Side Up

Eat breakfast and show up for work 15 minutes late? Or skip breakfast and be on time?

People who bypass breakfast are less likely to be happy at the office later than those who munch on a morning meal, according to Leisure Trends Group, a market research firm.

Breakfast eaters, whether they dig eggs or peanut butter on toast, are also happier about their family relationships, leisure time, health and personal finances than breakfast-skippers. The firm calculates what it calls a Happiness Index based on a quarterly online survey of 1,000 people who are asked about their satisfaction in 10 areas of life; the work-related Happiness Index for all Americans was 6 of 10. For those who never eat breakfast, it was 4.8.

Those who are worried about showing up late may want to bring along a banana or keep Cheerios in their desks. People on a Self.com forum also suggest yogurt and granola, instant oatmeal, smoothies or English muffins.

Leisure Trends also suggests that employers provide breakfast as a morale builder and a way to encourage happier, more productive workers. After all, breakfast goes well with answering e-mail.

-- Vickie Elmer