When you have kids, breakfast time can be the busiest time of the day as you're trying to get everyone organized, fed and out the door on time. But your child's breakfast can set the tone for her entire day, so it's important to make the morning meal a priority for your kids, even if it means setting out the next morning's basic breakfast fixings before you go to bed.
Identification
A healthy breakfast is one that combines four different food groups: whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy products, according to MayoClinic.com. Ideally, a healthy breakfast for kids should include one or two items from each of these food groups.
Function
A healthy breakfast helps your body refuel after a night of rest, helping your metabolism and other body systems kick back into action, explains the Mayo Clinic. That refueling gives your kids the energy they need to get up and get moving at school and at home. Breakfast also fills kids' tummies so they're less likely to have to deal with hunger before lunchtime.
Benefits
A healthy breakfast can have a number of benefits for your children. Kids who eat breakfast in the morning are less likely to end up obese and fall short on the nutrients they need each day to be healthy, according to KidsHealth, an online parenting and health resource maintained by the Nemours Foundation. Eating breakfast can also help kids concentrate better in school, do better with problem solving, show more creativity and exhibit better hand-eye coordination, according to MayoClinic.com.
Expert Insight
If you're in a breakfast rut with your kids, Joy Bauer, nutritionist and author of the book "Slim & Scrumptious," offers a few suggestions in "USA Today." Try topping whole-grain toast or bagels with peanut butter and sliced fruit or make a breakfast parfait with low-fat yogurt, whole-grain cereal and fresh fruit. If you have time to cook, make whole-grain pancakes topped with ricotta cheese and fruit or add your child's favorite vegetables to scrambled eggs or a frittata.
Misconceptions
Some kids may think skipping breakfast is a good way to get or stay thin, but the opposite is actually true, says Karen Miller-Kovach, chief scientific officer for Weight Watchers, in "USA Today." According to Miller-Kovach, kids who skip breakfast are more likely to overeat at lunch because they've been hungry all morning. If time is at a premium in the morning, KidsHealth recommends stocking up on healthy grab-and-go options, like low-fat yogurt or single-serving boxes of cereal.
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