Breakfast can be a tricky meal--some people won't leave the house without their morning nourishment and others never eat when they get up due to lack of appetite or time. But we have all probably at some point in life been told that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day," an old saying that actually might be - at least to some extent - true.

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No matter what studies and research might say about breakfast - will it help you lose weight? Will you gain weight? - the morning meal is enjoyed in one way or another in countries all around the world. What a typical breakfast plate looks like can also tell a lot about a country's general food culture, and attitude toward this fast-breaking meal.

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The traditional American spread of fried eggs, bacon, toast, and possibly potatoes might seem like an oddly heavy way to start the day to someone from France or Japan, for example. In France, the typical morning meal consists of a light snack, such as a baguette with a spread of butter and jam, or maybe the famous "Parisian breakfast" of a freshly baked croissant and a cup of coffee. In Japan, a bowl of miso soup and rice is not uncommon in the morning, and in several parts of the world, a sweet or savory porridge is a common way to start the day.

To compare typical breakfasts around the world, we at The Daily Meal gathered pictures of breakfast plates from different countries and put them together. So read on to get a peek into the typical way to enjoy "the most important meal of the day" - all around the word.

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http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2703792.jpg" id="2703792" style="" alt="Switzerland" name="2703792" title="Switzerland" height="207" width="310">SwitzerlandSwitzerland

A breakfast item now enjoyed in several parts of the world - muesli - has its roots in Switzerland. Here, the cereal blend of oat flakes, nuts and raisins, or other types of dried fruit, is often eaten with yogurt.







http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2703793.jpg" id="2703793" style="" alt="Venezuela" name="2703793" title="Venezuela" height="207" width="310">VenezuelaVenezuela

The soft corn flatbread arepa is eaten in Venezuela throughout the day, but most commonly served in the morning stuffed with different fillings such as cheese, meat, or beans.

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http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2703794.jpg" id="2703794" style="" alt="Brazil" name="2703794" title="Brazil" height="207" width="310">BrazilBrazil

Steaming warm, fresh-from-the-oven pao de queijos, round-shaped "cheese buns," are a breakfast staple in Brazil. Fresh fruit or berries, such as the exotic acai, are also commonly enjoyed in the morning.







http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2703795.jpg" id="2703795" style="" alt="Finland" name="2703795" title="Finland" height="207" width="310">FinlandFinland

A hearty bowl of oat-based porridge, puuro, is a common breakfast in Finland, often served with milk, fresh or frozen berries, and a bit of butter.








http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2703796.jpg" id="2703796" style="" alt="Burma" name="2703796" title="Burma" height="207" width="310">BurmaBurma

In Burma, a morning might start out with a plate of sticky fried rice topped with boiled yellow beans. This savory dish is called kaut nyin paung, and is sometimes served with fried fish and a cup of green tea.







http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2703798.jpg" id="2703798" style="" alt="Sweden" name="2703798" title="Sweden" height="207" width="310">SwedenSweden

A smörgås, or open-faced sandwich, is a typical breakfast item in Sweden. Two slices of bread are often eaten, topped with a thin spread of butter and a combination of toppings including ham, cheese, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and hard-boiled egg.