How do I get my child to eat breakfast?
Author: Pamela Rand
An excellent way to get anyone to eat breakfast is by example. Breakfast foods can be anything from last night’s leftovers to a bowl of cereal. Eating breakfast is just as important as what you eat for breakfast. Sweetened cereals are a popular breakfast choice; although, with all that sugar added they can’t possibly provide necessary nutrients and fiber. They are, however, still better than no breakfast. Mixing sweetened cereals with unsweetened varieties is a great way to improve the nutrition and keep the taste. Fresh fruit and milk are two groups of food that children and adults who skip breakfast do not get enough of on a regular basis. Making a fruit smoothie kills a couple of nutrition needs with one simple to prepare recipe. Blend soy or cow’s milk and/or yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit. Calcium fortified orange juice with a banana and powdered milk and/or flavored soy protein powder is another liquid choice. Add ice to both if desired. Remember a recipe is only a guideline so alter your ingredients according to your and your child’s tastebuds. Blending your breakfast might be the best choice you have as you and your children are rushing out the door in the morning. Experiment with making this recipe together with your children on the weekends so it’s quick and easy during the week. Why Should Parents and Children Eat Breakfast? Depending on the developmental age of your child, the type of case you make for eating breakfast will vary. If you or your child are not hungry in the morning, it could be due to latenight eating or having ignored the AM hunger cue for some time. Breakfast is the only meal I would recommend eating even if you feel no hunger. There are a multitude of reasons for ‘breaking the fast’. Firstly, parents need to truly believe the evidence supporting the need for breakfast if they are to sell the reasons to their children. Following is a list of reasons why breakfast is absolutely necessary:
1. After sleeping for eight or more hours your body needs to replenish it’s glycogen stores to have enough energy for afternoon sports training and/or competition. A child, especially a student-athlete cannot possibly catch up with their calorie and protein needs for optimum growth and athletic endurance if they go without breakfast.
2. Academics are EASIER if you feed your brain in the morning. Participating in school sports is not allowed in many schools without adequate grades.
3. Eating breakfast will contribute to an overall better attitude in school, at home and on the field.
4. Problem-solving at home, in school, and on the field is better in children who eat breakfast than those who don’t.
5. Developing a morning routine that includes breakfast will improve anyone’s overall health and well-being reducing absenteeism, tardiness and the number of trips to the nurse’s office. Breakfast also helps with weight control.
