Why are certain foods like pancakes or bacon and eggs considered breakfast foods and not pizza for example?

What qualifies the items that are universally recognized as breakfast foods to be breakfast foods? For example donuts, cereals, omlettes, ham and eggs, waffles, hash browns

versus -

peanut butter sandwich, pasta, tuna melt, mashed potatoesWhy are certain foods like pancakes or bacon and eggs considered breakfast foods and not pizza for example?
Donuts, cereals, omelets, ham and eggs, waffles, hash browns and other such foods aren't spicy or heavy on your stomach like foods associated with lunch and dinner. The word "breakfast" means "to break fast". You are supposedly coming off of several hours in which you haven't eaten anything because you've been asleep for most of those hours. You are breaking the small fast you've been on when you eat your first meal of the day, so while you wanted it to be hearty what you didn't want is for it to be too difficult on your digestive system. You also wanted foods which would be easily prepared in order to make breaking your fast more expedient.



This used to be more important when people actually had a greater span between their last meal of the day and their first meal of the next day, since their bodies had to adjust more to the sudden intake of food. But with late night snacks and eating at all hours of the day that people do and have done in recent years, then this isn't so much the case anymore. There really isn't much of a fast to break and most foods are easily prepared in some way.
It is more in the Western tradition to consider those things breakfast foods (really moving from the UK west). Nothing "qualifies" them other than tradition.



These were working class foods, built into the breakfast routine to provide a ton of calories to people who would burn thousands of calories in the morning. They were also quicker and easier too prepare first thing in the day than stews that would would be the evening meal. A quick slice of cured meat (which was hanging in the larder) fried with a couple of eggs and slices of bread fried in the remaining grease would get you out the door pretty quickly with plenty of energy to do what needed to be done throughout the day.



In many cultures, leftovers from the night before constituted breakfast.



Hash browns most likely came about from using leftover potatoes from the night before.



Waffles evolved to be a breakfast food. They were originally a snack.



Cereal - as in boxed flakes and such - are a result of 18th century vegetarian movements, looking to replace eggs and bacon with something healthier.



Omelets were dinner fare moved to the morning.



Steak and eggs is classic breakfast combo by the way. It used to be what they gave astronauts before going on a mission.Why are certain foods like pancakes or bacon and eggs considered breakfast foods and not pizza for example?
I do not follow the guidelines others have created on what an acceptable breakfast is. I don't appreciate someone else looking at me sideways if i occasionally allow my little to eat nutter butter cookie bites for breakfast- then serve their own pancakes or waffles or a donut. There is so much unhealthy crap in a boxed cereal product-if she asks me if she can have a peice of toast and some marshmallows, It seems to me that would be better than a bowl of Lucky Charms!!
Back in the 50s all the house wives came together for one of their annual meetings and had a debate on what should be considered breakfast staples - the foods you listed above are what one the title of BREAKFAST FOODS and that is what these wives fed their husbands and children every day. If they fed them LUNCH OR DINNER foods they were shunned - and back then no one wanted to break the norm or trend so these foods simply became the norm for the world.
I dunno about you but I don't think i would like rich tomato sauce and cheese in the morning! it just makes you drowzy and it's a bit sickly. Just like Ignant said, it's to 'break fast' It's more like a quick tasty sugary filling energizing snack



Pancakes and such are energy and kinda light (apart from bacon etc)



But i gues you caneat them. since it is your breakfast, your choice!



:D
My best guess is that when most people were farmers, they would collect the eggs first thing in the morning and that's when they are fresh. As little as 100 years ago ,there was no refrigeration. The rest I guess because they taste good together. But pizza is great anytime!
I think food shouldn't be categorized into certain times of day. All food should be treated equal. Breakfast food? Not to me, I call it Farm Food.
ignant gave a very good answere as did chief roach. Just wanted to add that our family used to have bacon and eggs for supper every Saturday nite, so that may be considered odd too.
i go with the first answer, i have been known to microwave, yesterdays left over curry for breakfast



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I suppose its not considered breakfast food as its too heavy on the stomach
Lol I had cold homemade pizza for breakfast this morning.
I think it's on who you ask.Cold pizza and Redbull is a breakfast for me.Monday mornings!
To give people good nutrician? I eat anything I want.