Daniela Jakubowicz believes that skipping breakfast makes no sense at all if you're trying to slim down. The US researcher studied 96 overweight women and found that those who started the day with a 610-calorie meal, heavy on carbs and protein and low on fat, were more likely to lose weight and keep it off.

Does this amount to a green light for those of us who enjoy the works – eggs, fried bread and all the trimmings? Perhaps not. But there are many ways to skin a cat, if you'll pardon the unappetising metaphor. Are you a fan of Porridge in its many beguiling forms, fruit, smoothies or coffee? Maybe you eat with an eye to your waistline, or maybe you don't care. How do you do breakfast?