Do Kids Really Need Breakfast?

Adults need to eat a breakfast every day to refuel their energy and to perform their best, but kids need it even more.  Kids’ growing bodies and developing brains need regular refueling often, from food. When kids skip breakfast, they miss the vitamins and the mineral they need from the meal for optimum growth and development.

In other words, eating a healthy breakfast is important for all ages, especially for children and adolescents. According to the American Dietetic Association, children who eat a healthy breakfast are more likely to have better concentration, problem-solving skills and eye-hand coordination. They may also be more alert and creative, and less likely to miss days of school. It is

also reported that breakfast-eaters are far less likely to be obese, diabetes or heart disease. Any breakfast is better than no breakfast, but try not to have doughnuts or pastries all the time. They're high in calories, sugar, and fat. They also don't contain the nutrients a child really needs. Besides, if you have a doughnut for breakfast, it wouldn’t keep you full for a while.

Mom was right in saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

 9 Tips Why Your Child Should Not Skip Breakfast:

1. A growing body of evidence indicates that breakfast is good for both your physical and mental health. 

2. Fuels the child’s body with nutrients. Your child may not be able to make up nutrients missed at breakfast.

3. Studies show that providing children a healthy breakfast every day is important in maintaining a healthy body weight.

4. A healthy breakfast helps control the urge to nibble or eat too big at the next meal.

5. Children who eat a healthy breakfast tend to show improved academic performance, longer attention span, better healthy breakfast children attendance and decreased hyperactivity in school.

6. A healthy breakfast improves their intake of fiber, vitamins and minerals, especially iron and vitamin C; these nutrients are essential in a balanced diet. In fact, a good breakfast provides one-fourth to one-third of the day’s energy and nutrient needs.

7. Skipping breakfast will often make your child feel tired, restless or irritable by mid-morning.

8. Children may get morning tummy aches by skipping breakfast. These aches are usually hunger pains.

9. Breakfast also provides your child with energy throughout the morning and help him/her concentrate better in class. This also means fewer trips to the school nurse’s office.

 A healthy breakfast should consist of a variety of foods, including:

Fruits and vegetables; Consider whole fresh fruits and vegetables, smoothies, or 100 percent juice without added sugar.

Whole Grains; Choose whole-grain rolls, bagels, bran cereals, or whole grain muffins.

Dairy; Consider skim milk, low-fat yogurt cups or low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.

Protein; Choose hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat and poultry, or fish, such as water-packed tuna or slices of salmon.