(NC)—No time for breakfast? This is a common complaint for busy Canadians. Many of us resolve to eat healthier in the New Year, and one of the easiest ways to start the year off right is to start each day right.

Breakfast is commonly known as the most important meal of the day and eating breakfast every day is an easy step towards a healthier diet. In a recent survey of Shoppers Optimum members in English Canada, 69% said they skip meals, with breakfast being reported as the most commonly skipped meal.

It's important to start every day with a healthy breakfast,” says Rebecca Noseworthy, manager of nutrition education at Breakfast for Learning. “Breakfast helps fuel the body and brain so that we are ready to work and learn throughout the day. Breakfast has also been shown to improve mood, concentration, and problem solving skills.”

Contrary to what some people may think, it doesn't take a lot of time or effort to get a healthy start to the day. Brands like Simply Food Good for Life, available at Shoppers Drug Mart, make it easy to shop for affordable and healthier choices close to home. A great breakfast option for busy families is low-fat instant oatmeal that's ready in only one minute in the microwave and offers a great source of fibre and omega-3. Another great start to a busy day is cereal. Choose a high fibre option like raisin bran, which is low in fat and a source of essential vitamins and minerals.

“Eating breakfast as a family can help foster healthy eating habits that children can use throughout their lives,” adds Noseworthy.