Mornings are busy! Often times the last thing we think of before we rush out the door is breakfast. We are hurried getting the kids to school and ourselves to work on-time, maybe the kiddos are complaining they aren’t hungry, maybe they are hungry but nobody is in the mood for cold cereal, we haven’t been able to get to the grocery store and there aren’t many options…the list goes on. Yet, we know that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. So, what can we do to make sure our children get their day started with full bellies and fueled brains?
• Take advantage of the school breakfast program: Typically,
school breakfast begins serving about 30 minutes before school
starts. Not only is it a time-saver, but it is a cost effective and healthy
option. Free and reduced meal costs are available to families who
qualify (see your child’s school for an application).
• Plan ahead: Think about breakfast the night before and even have
the kids help in breakfast planning. Put together a crockpot breakfast
meal, pre-cut fruit or veggies, assemble breakfast burritos or bake a
breakfast casserole that only needs reheating in the morning.
• Keep it simple: Whole grain toast with peanut butter, fruit
smoothie with Greek yogurt and leafy greens, bagel and cream
cheese, oatmeal with fruit, hard boiled eggs with whole grain English
muffin, and yogurt parfaits with granola and fruit are nutritious and
portable options that can be made in less than 10 minutes.
• Think outside the box: Breakfast does not have to be limited to
typical breakfast food! Dinner leftovers, quick grilled cheese and
fruit, veggie wrap, reheated pizza or even a mug of chicken soup can
be a healthful morning breakfast choice!
• Make breakfast a family habit: Be a positive role model for
your child by eating breakfast yourself every day, create breakfast
meals together and try to develop a morning routine that allows you
to sit down and have a breakfast meal together.
By Annette Anderson
RDN, CD
