Is A Healthy Breakfast Important For Children?

Amid the morning rush to get ready for school and work, you may wonder if a healthy breakfast is all that important for children. But breakfast doesn't have to be an elaborate or time-consuming meal. Jump-start their day with nutritious food that provides energy for growing bodies to listen attentively and learn in school, as well as calcium and vitamin D for building strong bones during their peak bone-building years.

Identification

Break an overnight fast with a light morning meal referred to literally as "break-fast." Traditional breakfast items may include toast, cold or hot cereal, eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles or French toast. A continental breakfast may include bagels with cream cheese, yogurt, fruit, milk and juice. A breakfast on the go for many workers and schoolchildren may include fast-food breakfast items, fruit cups, toasted pastries or instant oatmeal. You can actually include any food item in your child's morning meal, not just those commonly eaten in the morning.

Function

Feed your child a good breakfast to provide important nourishment to begin each day with vital energy. Provide fuel for your young child's growing body in this important meal after she has fasted all night. Without breakfast, children can become irritable, restless and tired by late morning, just when they need energy to pay attention and participate in learning activities at school.

Benefits

Children who eat breakfast are more likely to meet vitamin and mineral requirements than children who skip breakfast. They also tend to consume more vitamin C, calcium, folic acid and fiber. A missed breakfast means missed nutrients. Children who eat breakfast regularly have more energy, exhibit less aggressive behavior and display a better attitude toward school. Breakfast eaters score higher on math tests and other academic areas and have fewer days of absence from school or tardiness, according to Mary Mitchell in "Nutrition Across the Life Span." Regular meals and snacks also help maintain healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity.

Considerations

Some children, especially teens, skip breakfast in an effort to lose weight, but skipping a meal actually correlates with snacking throughout the day and eating more at the other meals, resulting in weight gain. Children who eat breakfast daily generally have better overall health. Standard breakfast foods that provide fiber and whole wheat can help with weight control and cholesterol levels. Calcium and vitamin D provided by milk at breakfast help build strong bones and boost immunity.

Tips

Encourage your child to eat breakfast by making time in her morning schedule and choosing foods that require little preparation time. Fresh fruits, yogurt and cereals provide quick nutrients. For children who do not care for breakfast foods, offer a nontraditional alternative such as leftovers from dinner or a fruit smoothie. Finger foods such as dried fruit, celery with peanut butter and breakfast bars can help when mornings are hectic. Many schools offer a nutritious breakfast program before school, and children may eat more in the company of their friends. A little planning and extra effort can ensure that your child gets the nutrients and other benefits of breakfast.