Longevity expert says the longest-living people eat these 6 foods for breakfast

For those aiming to unlock the secrets of a longer, healthier life, the first meal of the day is paramount, according to longevity researcher Dan Buettner. Having extensively studied "blue zones" – communities around the world with the highest life expectancies – Buettner suggests that breakfast is a top priority, often being the biggest meal of the day.

Buettner, who coined the term "blue zones," shared his insights with CNBC Make It last year, quoting a common saying: "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." He observed that residents in places like Okinawa, Japan, and Sardinia, Italy, consume their largest meal in the morning, gradually eating smaller portions as the day progresses. They often have an early dinner and then fast until breakfast the following day.

The expert, however, warns against typical Western breakfast choices. "People should avoid most of what is marketed to us in America as breakfast foods, such as Pop-Tarts, sugar-laden cereals, yogurts, and granola," he told the publication. Instead, he advises taking "a page out of the blue zones and eating a hearty, healthy breakfast."

To mirror the dietary habits of the world’s longest-lived people, Buettner recommends incorporating the following foods into one's morning routine: beans, vegetables, rice, fruits, miso, and oats.