Don’t just send your kids off to school in the morning -- ENERGIZE them with a breakfast your whole family won't want to skip!
How many times have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Still, it’s also the most neglected. If you want to give your children the best “back to school” start, it’s time to pay attention.
Studies have shown over and over again that students who ate healthy breakfasts paid better attention in school, scored higher on both math and reading tests, and behaved better overall. Eating a healthy breakfast also helps both kids and adults maintain a healthy weight and have lower blood cholesterol and less related health problems.
If you still don’t think breakfast is important, think of it this way: if your child is in bed by 9 p.m. and gets on the bus around 8 a.m., he has already gone almost 12 hours without nourishment – what time’s lunch? Energize your kids in the morning!!
So, that said, making time in your busy morning schedule for breakfast – even the Grab ‘n Go breakfasts below – will make your kids happier, smarter, and healthier!
Plan Ahead, Do Ahead Take the time to talk to your kids about how smart and important it is to start the day with a healthy breakfast. Involve them by asking for suggestions and offering suggestions of your own from which they can choose. They will be more likely to take time to eat something they have planned and chosen themselves.
Whenever possible, think:
Whole fruits, Whole grains = Wholesome Getting your children to eat breakfast shouldn’t be a power struggle. Don’t “make” them eat --- instead, let them be part of the planning and the choosing. The night before, find out what you and the kids want for breakfast and get everything ready to go. They can help with this. Have them wash and dry fruit. Count things out and place in plastic containers or bags, and pack. They can put stickers on the bags or smiley faces and their names. Make this a sociable and relaxed time together --- you’ll reap the rewards in the morning!
You can bake muffins or granola ahead of time and freeze extras. Freeze fruits to make Smoothies in minutes. Have the children join you in creating new cereal and trail mixes and store in an airtight container ready to transfer to a serving size container or bag. Make sure you keep fresh fruit and vegetables handy – these easy solutions are a fast source of vitamins, energy and fiber. Keep it fun and easy!
If you have the opportunity to sit down and share a healthy breakfast with your children, the possibilities are endless. Plan at least one sit down breakfast a week for the whole family to participate – Dad can join in, too! However, if on most school days you find yourself hustling the kids out the door just in time to catch the bus or car pool, here are some suggestions for:
Grab ‘n Go Breakfasts
