Healthy and Wealthy

Many people tend to skip their breakfast or they may just drink a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. Reports have shown that it is unhealthy to avoid breakfast because the body need new energy to get started after a night’s sleep. A recent study illustrated the mental and physical efficiency of a set of adults taken over the entire day, some of whom had taken their breakfast while others did not.

It is even more important for children to take a good breakfast. Children who do not have their breakfast tend to get tired easily and usually get shorter attention spans, mostly late in the morning. Breakfast can improve your children’s academic performance and diet.By eating in the morning, they are able to get the vitamins and minerals they need which can’t be provided sufficiently by lunch and dinner alone. Also, children who skip their breakfast often eat more junk food as they get hungry through midday.

What’s in a breakfast?

· Whole-grain bread or cereal, milk, fruit, yogurt, or eggs are good breakfast options.

· For children older than two years, 1% low-fat milk or non-fat milk is a good beverage to include with breakfast.

· If your child doesn’t enjoy the type of foods associated with breakfast, consider a sandwich or a serving of leftovers that may appeal to him more.

· Some foods might surprise you. For example, many toaster waffles are actually quite low in fat. Top them with some fresh fruit, add a glass of low-fat milk and you have a quick and easy breakfast that combines good taste and good nutrition.

Don’t have time for breakfast?

It takes no more than one minute for your child to put a slice of cheese between two slices of whole grain bread on his way out the door!

Try these time-saving tips:

· Keep convenient foods on hand, such as yogurt, fruit, cheese, instant oatmeal, and whole grain bread.

· Have your child eat ‘breakfast-to-go’ on the bus, in the car, or while walking to school.

· The point of breakfast is to feed your child’s body the protein and energy it needs to start the day and to carry him through to lunch. Of course, children often learn most by example, so it’s important for parents to set a good example and have a nutritious breakfast each day too. (By funalso.com)