National School Breakfast Week

National School Breakfast Week was celebrated this week.  If your kids are normally on the go in the morning and don’t have time to eat breakfast, help them to kick this habit to the curb in honor of National School Breakfast Week.   National School Breakfast Week was originally launched in 1989 to bring awareness to the School Breakfast Program (SBP).  Cereals became popular in the late 19^th century as a healthier breakfast alternative.  Eating a balanced breakfast can help children maintain a healthy weight and has been linked with academic success.  Studies also show that children who eat breakfast regularly have a lower BMI and waist circumference than children who skip breakfast each morning. 

Cereal can be an excellent way to start the day. (By the way, did you know National Cereal Day was on March 7?)  Cereals are quick, convenient and tasty, however choosing a healthy cereal is essential.  A bowl of cereal can provide many nutrients such as fiber, iron, and B vitamins, with very little fat.  Choose cereals made with only whole grains, have no more than 6 grams of sugar per serving, and have greater than 5 grams of fiber per serving.  Watch out for those cereals that have hidden fat!  Don’t rely on the picture on the box…you must read the nutrition labels.  Pictures can be deceiving.  Did you know an estimated 294 million Americans choose to eat cereal for breakfast each morning? 

Breakfast Suggestions to Jump Start Your Day:

Whole wheat blueberry pancakes and a glass of low fat milk

Veggie egg white omelet with whole wheat toast

Toasted English muffin with peanut or almond butter

Whole wheat toast with melted low fat cheese

Hot cinnamon apple slices with low fat cottage cheese

Yogurt with fresh fruit and sprinkled with low fat granola (watch portion size!)

Oatmeal with diced apple, chopped walnuts and cinnamon

When kids skip breakfast, there are many nutrients needed for good health that are therefore missed, such as calcium, fiber, and some vitamins, which are usually not made up during the day.  So be sure to jump start your kids day (and yours!) with a nutritious breakfast each morning! 

What are some of your favorite foods to eat for breakfast?

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