Expert says there's one 'healthy' item you should 'eradicate from your diet'

Biochemist and product developer Jessie Inchauspe has said there is one item people should "eradicate from their diets" and it has been a breakfast staple for generations

We've always been told that breakfast is the most crucial meal of the day - but it turns out not all breakfasts are created equal.

One expert has singled out a particular morning staple she'd banish from our diets if she could: orange juice. The reason? Its sky-high sugar content, which can be as much as seven teaspoons per serving, leading to blood sugar spikes.

Biochemist Jessie Inchauspe is on a mission to see us "eradicate" this sugary drink from our morning routine, advocating instead for a high-protein, savoury start to the day to keep us satiated for longer. Jessie blames marketing campaigns for our sweet tooth at breakfast, convincing us over time that sugar-laden starts are beneficial.

As a biochemist, product developer and author, Inchauspe's advice carries weight, especially when it comes to gut health and nutrition. During her talk at the Randox Cost of Nutrition Conference, she didn't mince words: "People have told you for a very long time 'have an orange juice in a morning, it will give you energy', 'breakfast should be sweet – it should be pastries, cereal' but it's all lies.

"Eating sweet breakfasts was invented by the food industry just to make money because breakfasts are very profitable. The best breakfast is a savoury breakfast that is based around protein. Protein is a very important substance to eat to keep you very satiated, the body needs it and we don't eat nearly enough of it.

"You can have leftovers from your dinner for breakfast – so maybe you had fish, veg and fritters – have that instead". The expert pointed out that the traditional Full English breakfast is also a good, high protein alternative to high-sugar cereals, pastries or juices, but suggests you whip it up yourself at home to ensure it isn't processed.

The NHS advises including eggs, sausages (or meat alternatives), beans, cod or salmon in your breakfasts to kick-start the day with a good protein hit. On average, women require about 44g of protein a day and men 55g, which is roughly two portions - approximately the size of the palm of your hand - but the British Heart Foundation recommends that this doesn't all come from meat, especially not red meat.

This is because diets heavy on meat "have been linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and may also shorten your life". Instead, try incorporating lentils, beans and peas into your meals for a healthier protein boost.