What the world eats for breakfast

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.

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.

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 12 different countries -- from India to Finland to Venezuela -- and put them together in the slideshow above. So click on through and get a peek into the typical way to enjoy "the most important meal of the day" -- all around the word.

Japan

A breakfast in Japan is often light, savory and simple. A bowl of miso soup and rice or rice porridge is often the main part of the meal, sometimes accompanied by a piece of cooked fish and some pickled vegetables, and of course a cup of green tea.

France

A piece of baguette, topped with butter and jam, is a common breakfast in France. Breakfast pastries, such as croissants, are often also eaten together with coffee or a glass of juice.

China

Congee, rice porridge, is a popular comfort food and breakfast item in China, as well as several other Asian countries. The savory porridge can be eaten plain, or topped with anything from ground meat to squid.

Korea

In Korea, a typical breakfast consists of foods that could be found at lunch or dinner as well: a stew of some sort, rice and several side dishes, such as kimchi, spinach and spicy cucumbers.

India

A typical breakfast in India varies depending on region, but is often quite similar to a lunch or dinner. A breakfast plate in India might include roti (flatbread), dosas (thin crepes made of lentils) or idlis (steamed rice-dough pancakes), and different dips and chutneys, as well as spiced potatoes.

Mexico

Depending on the region of Mexico, typical breakfast items may vary slightly, but often include ingredients such as corn tortillas, eggs, beans and sauces, compiled in different way. One common breakfast item is chilaquiles -- fried corn tortilla chips topped with green or red salsa (or mole) eggs, pulled chicken, cheese and refried beans.

Spain

In Spain, a typical morning might start out sweet, with a serving of chocolate con churros (hot chocolate with churros). The stick-shaped churros are served with a thick hot chocolate, used as a dip.

Switzerland

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.

Venezuela

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.

Brazil

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.

Finland

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.

Burma

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.

Sweden

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.