The contribution of breakfast to mean daily energy and nutrient intakes was investigated in a sample of 7-8-year-old children recruited by letter from five Scottish schools. After eighteen families dropped out of the study and three dietary records were discarded, the final sample numbered 136 (51%). Dietary data were collected using the 7 d weighed inventory, while a questionnaire was used to classify children into manual or non-manual social class groups. Mean daily energy intakes were close to estimated average requirements (Department of Health, 1991), while intakes of most micronutrients were in excess of reference nutrient intakes (RNI; Department of Health, 1991). The most popular breakfast consumed by the children was one including a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (RTEBC). Differences in macronutrient content were seen between breakfasts of boys and girls, while manual-social-class children ate breakfasts which were lower in energy, NSP and certain micronutrients than those of non-manual-class children. Breakfast contributed 14% of energy and 9-36% of micronutrient intakes to the overall diets. Breakfasts including RTEBC contributed significantly more energy and nutrients than other types of breakfast. Children who ate RTEBC nearly every day had overall diets which had a higher nutrient density and were lower in fat than those of children who ate RTEBC less frequently or not at all. Intakes of most micronutrients were above the RNI in both these groups, with the exception of folate, Fe and vitamin A, which were below the RNI for those consuming RTEBC infrequently. However, the type of breakfast eaten did not appear to influence energy and nutrient intakes at other meals during the day. Nevertheless, it was concluded that breakfast, particularly one containing RTEBC, had a strong influence on the daily energy and nutrient intakes of 7-8-year-old children, particularly by reducing the proportion of energy from fat.