Breakfast refuels the body after a night's sleep and restarts the body's metabolism for the day ahead. According to KidsHealth.org, children who eat a healthful breakfast eat fewer total calories during the day, are more likely to participate in physical activity, eat healthier foods overall and are less likely to be overweight or obese. A healthful breakfast for toddlers should include carbohydrates for fast energy to get the day started, protein for longer-lasting energy throughout the morning and fiber to help them feel full and improve digestion. Feed breakfast foods according to your toddler's age and chewing ability, and avoid foods that pose a choking risk.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates primarily come in the form of grains. Prepared cereal with milk is a staple breakfast food, but choose low-fat milk and whole-grain, unsweetened cereals. Healthy Children recommends a cereal with at least 2 g of fiber and less than 10 g of sugar. Add sliced fruit if your toddler is reluctant to eat the cereal--use sliced soft fruits such as ripe peaches or bananas for younger toddlers, and strawberries or blueberries as they get older. Try whole-grain waffles, pancakes, or French toast cut into pieces or strips and drizzled with low-sugar or sugar-free syrup. For a change of pace, reheat leftover brown rice and stir in cinnamon and a sprinkling of brown sugar.
Protein
Eggs typically make the list of breakfast proteins. Your toddler might enjoy sliced hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs with low-fat or fat-free cheese, or a vegetable omelet. Put slices of egg on a wheat tortilla spread with hummus and roll up for a breakfast burrito. Spread peanut butter on whole-grain toast, crackers or tortillas, or, for older toddlers, on apple or jicama slices. Leftovers such as spaghetti or chicken can fit into a healthful breakfast and might be helpful when your toddler is going through a picky stage.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide fiber along with many other nutrients. Hard raw fruits and vegetables can pose a choking hazard, so cook or steam foods such as apples, pears and carrots until they're tender before feeding them to your toddler. Feed soft fruits such as ripe bananas and peaches with a yogurt dip or low-fat whipped cream cheese. A frozen banana, dipped in yogurt and rolled in cereal, makes a different breakfast treat for an older toddler. For breakfast on the go, make a smoothie with milk, fruit and ice crushed in a blender and served in a sippy cup.
