Many people are tempted to skip breakfast, which is considered the most important meal of the day.

Studies show eating breakfast helps people think more clearly and be more productive.

A Harvard School of Medicine study suggests men who start their day by eating whole-grain cereal may live longer than those who eat refined, sugar-laden cereals.

Researchers found men who ate one serving of whole-grain, high-fiber cereal every day were nearly 30 percent less likely to die from heart disease or other diet-related diseases.

Scientists studied the eating habits of 86,000 men over age 40. After five years, researchers found the more whole-grain cereal the men ate, the lower their risk of death from heart disease.

Men who regularly ate whole-grain breakfast cereals also had a lower risk of heart attack than men who ate more refined cereals.

Whole-grain cereals contain the kind of fiber that helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and improves how the body processes insulin and glucose. Whole grains also have more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than refined cereal.

To make sure a cereal contains whole grains, check the ingredient list. Whole grain or bran should be listed as the first ingredient.

Then check the nutrition label. To be a whole-grain cereal, it must contain at least 2 grams of fiber per serving, preferably more.

Also, do not be fooled by the color of food. Not all brown breads contain whole grains. Some are the same as refined white bread with caramel coloring added.