If you assumed the Royals only indulged in extravagant banquets and feasts for breakfast, you'd be wrong. Tom Parker Bowles has now shone a light on the surprisingly simple dish that his mother, Queen Camilla, eats every morning in the colder months.
While the meal is undoubtedly 'plain', Tom explained that Her Majesty adds a teaspoon of one special ingredient which she makes and stores at home. The classic breakfast has even been crowned a top choice for heart health by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), thanks to its impressive fibre content.
Writing in his new book, 'Cooking & The Crown', Tom said: "In winter, my mother, Queen Camilla, eats porridge every day - plain, aside from a little of her own honey. The hives sit at the back of a field at Raymill, the house in which my sister and I spent the latter part of our youth."
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Dave Benett/Getty Images)He then continued: "[The honey] is delicate and mild, as fine stirred into a good Darjeeling tea as it is mixed with porridge or yoghurt." As mentioned, BHF has previously ranked porridge above granola, cornflakes, muesli and even bran flakes as the best choice for a heart healthy morning meal.
This is largely down to a component called 'beta-glucan' - referring to soluble fibre that's been linked to lower cholesterol levels, if you have 3g or more per day as part of a balanced diet. However, while Queen Camilla likes to make her porridge with full-fat milk and a sprinkle of salt on top, BHF recommends steering clear of this if you want to reap the health benefits.
Instead, it's worth using water or low-fat milk, while adding fruits like bananas for an extra sweetness. Its experts explained: "As well as beta-glucan, you’ll be getting the fibre from the whole grains, plus there is no added sugar or salt. Instead of adding sugar or salt to your porridge for flavour – instead, try adding a banana or other fruits for extra sweetness.
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"For every 80g that you add it will be one of your five-a-day at the same time." Meanwhile, scientific research has also found a connection between honey consumption and heart health.
In 2020, one study claimed that honey is a 'potential candidate to be explored further as a natural and dietary alternative to the management of cardiovascular disease'. Scientists reached this conclusion after reviewing evidence to suggest that honey can act as a 'cardioprotective agent', reducing damage in cases of heart problems.
However, more research is required to better understand this link.
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