Your alarm goes off too early in the morning, and you are up and running to get you and the kids ready for school in the shortest amount of time possible. You don’t want them to be late for their first day or first week of school.
You are doing your best to get them dressed, their backpacks ready, and either lunch or lunch money for them, before they are in the car or walking to the bus stop. You don’t really have time to think about a healthy option for their breakfast or lunch. You just hope they eat something.
Too Frazzled for Breakfast in the Morning?
Does this sound familiar? This is a common back-to-school picture for many of my patients every morning. Getting kids to adhere to a time schedule in the morning can be challenging and can lead to an inadequate or skipped breakfast. Older children in junior high school or high school may miss breakfast, too.
Why Breakfast is so Important
However breakfast is a very important part of the learning process. A hungry child can be short on concentration and energy. They are also more likely to have behavioral problems of irritability, restlessness or tiredness. They are more likely to snack on junk foods instead of healthy foods.
Benefits of a Healthy Breakfast
A healthy breakfast is the best way to prevent this lack of energy and its negative consequences from happening. Healthy breakfast consisting of whole grains, protein and low sugar can improve kids' attention span, concentration and memory during the day.
Children that eat breakfast are more likely to participate in physical activities and keep their weight in check, too. This practice also fosters good habits into adulthood.
Planning for Success
Plan for success by planning your kids meals ahead of time. Cook meals ahead of time and just warm them up in the morning. Breakfast become a two-minute meal that you can eat at home. While I prefer sitting at home and eating many of their recipes can be heated on the go if you have to. Ultimately it is better to eat healthy in the car than not to eat at all.
What is a Healthy Breakfast?
Healthy back-to-school breakfast will include whole grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables. Delish.com has some great options provided by Eatingwell.com Magazine for your kids to eat healthy that they will love. You will love them too because they are easy and affordable and make your back-to-school routine run like a well-oiled machine.
Check out their suggestions to give you some ideas http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/back-to-school-healthy-recipes-kids#
By the way, parents, you can set the best example by eating a nutritious breakfast yourselves. All the damage and the benefits to eating breakfast are true for you as well!
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Daemon Jones
Dr. Dae's website: www.HealthyDaes.org
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is your diabetes reversal, hormones, metabolism and weight loss expert. Dr. Dae is a naturopathic doctor who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. Visit her or schedule a free consultation at her website www.HealthyDaes.org/
Sources:
"Breakfast Basics ." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/healthy_eating/breakfast.html
"Healthy Kids : Importance of Breakfast." Healthy Kids : Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2013.
http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/parents-carers/healthy-eating-and-drinking/importance-of-breakfast.aspx
"Healthy Recipes for Kids - Back to School Kid Recipes - Delish.com." Recipes, Party Food, Cooking Guides, Dinner Ideas, and Grocery Coupons - Delish.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2013.
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/back-to-school-healthy-recipes-kids#
"Why Is Breakfast So Important? ." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/q_a/breakfast_question.html
Reviewed August 28, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith