Eating a balanced breakfast is important for children to do their best in school.
Research shows children who eat breakfast are better able to pay attention and perform problem-solving tasks, tend to have better school attendance, less tardiness, fewer hunger-induced stomach aches midmorning than those who do not eat breakfast and they are also more likely to meet daily nutrient requirements.
Children who eat breakfast may have better ability to concentrate and better muscle coordination if the morning started with a nutritious breakfast. Breakfast provides many key nutrients needed for children to grow and develop and those who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight. And yet breakfast is the meal that is most often skipped by children. Many are not eating a nutritious breakfast every morning.
There are many reasons children do not eat breakfast because they don't like traditional breakfast foods, might not make time for it in the morning or simply forget.
So the impetus falls on the parents to ensure children get in the habit of making breakfast a part of daily life.
Leading by example is the best way to teach children to eat a healthful breakfast. Plan the morning routine to allow time for breakfast. A great way for family members to start the day is to enjoy breakfast together as a morning routine. Insist that children get off to a good start by eating breakfast every morning.
A balanced breakfast does not have to be a traditional one. It does need to provide essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. The easiest way to do this is to include foods from different food groups. The food groups include fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy. A slice of leftover Canadian bacon, mushroom and cheese pizza with a side dish of pineapple tidbits is not a traditional breakfast but it does include a variety of nutrients and includes ingredients from various food groups. The Canadian bacon is from the protein group and the cheese is from the dairy group. The crust is a grain although it is not a whole grain unless made with whole grain flour. The pineapple is a serving from the fruit group.