Breakfast, the Vanishing Meal, Sept 2007

Does your child hurry off to school most days without eating breakfast? Should you be concerned about this?

The number of children who are skipping breakfast is increasing, probably because of the rising number of single-parent households and families with two working parents. Even when children do grab something to eat for breakfast, they may not be getting the calories and nutrients they need.

Fruit, whole grains and protein are good starters! What can you do if your children either don’t have the time or the interest in eating breakfast? Here are some tips on how your family can eat right in the morning when they’re in a hurry:

Send children who are not breakfast lovers to school with a healthy snack that they can eat before lunch. Give them such foods as a fruit or dried fruit. Buy quick-to-eat cereals and cereal bars that are high in whole grains or whole wheat.

Keep breakfast foods readily available for your child to grab on the way out the door if there’s no time for a full meal. Carbohydrates and proteins, such as cereal and milk, whole grain bread with peanut butter or scrambled eggs with whole grain toast, are good ways to start the day.

Processed meats that are high in salt and fat, such as rashers ][poiuhgfdsand sausages, are best enjoyed occasionally, not every day.