Dark History 176: Who Invented Breakfast? The Breakfast Industry’s Dirty Little Secrets
Jul 16, 2025
44:22
Hi friends, happy Wednesday!
The other day I woke up starving — like, hangry. So I wandered into the kitchen and stood there, just… staring. Eggs? Too much work. Pancakes? Ehhh Toast? Meh. I mean why is choosing breakfast this complicated?
It’s supposed to be “the most important meal of the day,” right? At least that’s what we’ve all been told. But who decided that? Who made the rules on what we should eat first thing in the morning?
So I started digging — and what I found is, breakfast has never been just about food. It’s been a battlefield. A PR stunt. A marketing goldmine. And sometimes… even a political weapon.
From early doctors who thought bland breakfasts could stop “sinful urges”… to the government pushing a food pyramid on America… to movements that fought for kids to actually have access to breakfast …it’s messy. Like spilled coffee on your white shirt messy.
So let’s dive into it. Today we are talking about the Dark History of Breakfast.
I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.
I sometimes talk about my Good Reads in the show. So here's the link if you want to check it out. IDK. lol: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/139701263-bailey
________
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Discord: https://discord.gg/BaileySarian*
RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com
Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com
Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505
________
This podcast is Executive Produced by:
Bailey Sarian & Kevin Grosch and Joey Scavuzzo from Made In Network
Head Writer: Allyson Philobos
Writer: Katie Burris
Additional Writing: Jessica Charles
Research provided by: Coleen Smith
Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Heather Arnt Anderson, author of “Breakfast: A History”
Director: Brian Jaggers
Additional Editing: Julien Perez and Maria Norris
Post Supervisor: Kelly Hardin
Production Management: Ross Woodruff
Hair: Angel Gonzalez
Makeup: Bailey Sarian
________
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.
New members can try Audible now free for 30 days and dive into a world of new thrills. Visit https://www.audible.com/DARKHISTORY or text DARKHISTORY to 500-500.
What are you waiting for? Give your cat the food they deserve. For a limited time only, because you are a DARK HISTORY listener, you can get 60% off your first Smalls order PLUS free shipping when you head to https://www.smalls.com/DARKHISTORY.
During the time of this spot, another FOURTEEN-HUNDRED packages were shipped with the help of ShipStation! Upgrade to a smoother shipping experience. Go to https://www.shipstation.com/DARKHISTORY to sign up for your free trial. No credit card or contract required and you can cancel anytime.
The other day I woke up starving — like, hangry. So I wandered into the kitchen and stood there, just… staring. Eggs? Too much work. Pancakes? Ehhh Toast? Meh. I mean why is choosing breakfast this complicated?
It’s supposed to be “the most important meal of the day,” right? At least that’s what we’ve all been told. But who decided that? Who made the rules on what we should eat first thing in the morning?
So I started digging — and what I found is, breakfast has never been just about food. It’s been a battlefield. A PR stunt. A marketing goldmine. And sometimes… even a political weapon.
From early doctors who thought bland breakfasts could stop “sinful urges”… to the government pushing a food pyramid on America… to movements that fought for kids to actually have access to breakfast …it’s messy. Like spilled coffee on your white shirt messy.
So let’s dive into it. Today we are talking about the Dark History of Breakfast.
I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.
I sometimes talk about my Good Reads in the show. So here's the link if you want to check it out. IDK. lol: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/139701263-bailey
________
FOLLOW ME AROUND
Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3e3jL9v
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2nbO4PR
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2mdZtK6
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2yT4BLV
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2mVpXnY
Youtube: http://bit.ly/1HGw3Og
Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3cC0V9d
Discord: https://discord.gg/BaileySarian*
RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com
Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com
Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505
________
This podcast is Executive Produced by:
Bailey Sarian & Kevin Grosch and Joey Scavuzzo from Made In Network
Head Writer: Allyson Philobos
Writer: Katie Burris
Additional Writing: Jessica Charles
Research provided by: Coleen Smith
Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Heather Arnt Anderson, author of “Breakfast: A History”
Director: Brian Jaggers
Additional Editing: Julien Perez and Maria Norris
Post Supervisor: Kelly Hardin
Production Management: Ross Woodruff
Hair: Angel Gonzalez
Makeup: Bailey Sarian
________
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.zocdoc.com/DARKHISTORY to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.
New members can try Audible now free for 30 days and dive into a world of new thrills. Visit https://www.audible.com/DARKHISTORY or text DARKHISTORY to 500-500.
What are you waiting for? Give your cat the food they deserve. For a limited time only, because you are a DARK HISTORY listener, you can get 60% off your first Smalls order PLUS free shipping when you head to https://www.smalls.com/DARKHISTORY.
During the time of this spot, another FOURTEEN-HUNDRED packages were shipped with the help of ShipStation! Upgrade to a smoother shipping experience. Go to https://www.shipstation.com/DARKHISTORY to sign up for your free trial. No credit card or contract required and you can cancel anytime.