After the excesses of the festive season, many of us are on a mission to become fitter and healthier than ever before. But according to one fitness expert, it’s time to forget the faddy diets and embrace a hearty breakfast.

It’s said to be the most important meal of the day but, we’re not talking porridge here.

Strength and physique coach Charles Poliquin, who has worked with some of the world’s top Olympians and fitness models, swears instead by a brekkie of meat and nuts.

According to Poliquin, it’s an essential and non-negotiable part of every one of his athlete plans and says it’s his single best dietary tip for ‘optimal leanness, energy and sustained mental focus’.

So, how does it work?

Unlike pastries or sugary cereals, eating protein-packed meat guarantees to give you a gradual blood sugar release throughout the day, keeping you fuller for longer.

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Show all 6 1 /6 Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Six healthy breakfast recipes to try You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost. Method: 1) Cook your turkey breast so that it’s ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as it’s healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon Method 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurt’s credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of “healthy fats”, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day. DW Fitness

This will give you more energy and mental focus throughout the day as well as curbing your cravings.

Adding nuts to the mix means you will also get a boost of healthy fats which will keep your blood sugar stable for a long duration; the key to consistent energy and alertness rather than the spikes and crashes you can experience eating foods with high sugar content.

Poliquin assures that this breakfast combo is ideal for focus and drive and, recommends rotating between different meats and nuts to keep things interesting.

Why not try a steak, a piece of salmon, some chicken or even some fish?

For the nuts, it’s best to stick to the whole food varieties such as cashews, almonds, macadamia, hazelnuts and brazils, rather than those which are salted.