In the Middle Ages, the Church disapproved of eating breakfast. It was seen as gluttony. However, working people often had a snack of bread and cheese during the morning after a couple of hours of work. The old and infirm were also allowed some food in the morning. But having a meal when you woke up was sinful. Attitudes began to change in the 15th century. In the 16th century, eating breakfast became common.
The word breakfast was first recorded in the 15th century. People literally broke their fast when they woke up and ate a meal.
In the 19th century, in Britain, a breakfast of bacon and eggs, or sometimes sausages, became popular. In the 20th century, a ‘fry up’ often included baked beans.
In the late 19th century, hotels began serving continental breakfasts, based on those eaten in mainland Europe. Today, continental breakfasts often include coffee, tea, or orange juice. They also include croissants, pain au chocolat, pancakes, and toast, with butter, honey, or jam.
From the end of the 19th century, breakfast cereals were introduced. People have eaten porridge for thousands of years, but Quaker Oats was registered as a trademark in 1877. Shredded wheat was patented by Henry Perky in 1893. Kellogg’s cornflakes went on sale on 19 February 1906. All Bran followed in 1916.
Rice Krispies were introduced in 1928. Weetabix went on sale in 1932. In the USA, Cheerios were invented in 1941. Shreddies went on sale in Canada in 1939. They first went on sale in Britain in 1953. In Britain, Frosties were introduced in 1954. The same year, 1954, Lucky Charms went on sale in the USA. Sugar Puffs went on sale in Britain in 1957. 7 March is National Cereal Day.
In the 1930s, it became common to eat grapefruit for breakfast.
People often eat toast with their breakfast. The first electric toaster was invented in 1893. In 1921, Charles Strite patented the pop-up toaster.
Last revised 2026