ADVENTUROUS Taysiders are leading the way in Scotland when it comes to jump starting their day with something new.

New research has revealed that the region’s residents are coming up with inspirational additions to the humble bowl of porridge and experts say the creativity is a helping hand towards an exciting and healthy life.

The findings have emerged from a survey by the Forfar-based McIntosh brand, whose microwaveable porridge is part of the larder of Strathmore Foods.

Tayside porridge eaters showed a greater willingness than their peers across the rest of the country to pop something exotic on to the top of the national breakfast dish, stirring the palate with fancy fruits and a sprinkling of extra sweetness.

“The research suggests the Taysiders’ penchant for piling various types of fruit on to the national dish shows an open-minded, experimental approach to life and a concern for their health, especially in winter,” said company sales director Ian Clarke.

The McIntosh research was designed to illustrate how personality traits and control issues with food can be determined by analysing how people eat their porridge.

It highlighted that people in Tayside have the highest use of healthier brown sugar of all the Scottish regions, with 14% opting to sprinkle it as part of their wake up regime.

Psychologist Donna Dawson, a former magazine agony aunt and sex expert on ITV1’s This Morning analysed the findings and said the results revealed the get up and go attitude of Tayside folk.

“This personality type needs new experiences and variety more than the other Scottish regions.

“They require constant challenges in their lives as daily routine bores them and they may have trouble with a short attention span or with putting up with people who irritate them.

“Having said that, they would hide their irritation under a tactful exterior.

“They are most likely to choose an adventurous holiday or to try a new food or drink.

“However, they are also strongly concerned with their health, as they want their bodies to keep up with their minds.

“They are less conservative than other regions and are less likely to get stuck in a rut. They keep an open mind and will try new things, especially if they feel it will do them good.”

Ms Dawson explained food choices very often reflect personalities because eating food is the very first social interaction people experience.

“We are influenced in our food preferences partly by our genes, the tastes of other family members and also by any pleasant/unpleasant food encounters that we have had while growing up.

“By the time we’re in our late teens many of our food choices are automatic and we don’t even have to think about why we like or dislike different foods,” she said.

But Forfar flair was in short supply yesterday when The Courier quizzed local porridge fans.

Some showed signs of being willing to try something fruity first thing, but many showed a reluctance to switch old habits.

“Milk and a wee bit sugar is all you need,” was one typical response.