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Does your child hurry off to school most days without eating breakfast? Should you be concerned about this?
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study, more children are now skipping breakfast, probably because of the rising number of single-parent households and families with two working parents.
Even when children do grab something to eat for breakfast, they may not be getting the calories and nutrients they need.
Fruit, whole grains and protein are good starters
What can you do if your kids either don't have the time or the interest to eat breakfast? Here are some tips on how your family can eat right in the morning when they're in a hurry:
- Send children who aren't breakfast lovers to school with a healthy snack they can eat before lunch. Give them such foods as a low-sugar granola bar, fruit or dried fruit.
- Buy quick-to-eat cereals and cereal bars that are high in whole grains or whole wheat. If sugar is one of the first ingredients, don't buy it.
- Keep breakfast foods handy for your child to grab on the way out the door if there's no time for a full meal. In many households today, there's a time crunch for many youngsters, but there are many products that are nutritious and very quick that children can grab and eat. If you can make time for breakfast, here's how to get the most out of your morning meal:
- Carbohydrates and proteins, such as cereal and milk, whole grain bread with peanut butter or scrambled eggs with whole grain toast, are good ways to start the day. The protein takes longer to break down, and provides energy until lunch.
- Processed meats that are high in salt and fat, like bacon and sausage, are best enjoyed occasionally, not every day. At restaurants, go with a breakfast sandwich with egg, ham and cheese on a bagel or English muffin instead of a fattening croissant.
Here are some other research findings:
- Low-income children who come to class hungry are more likely to have problems in school. They may have attention or behavior problems, psychological dysfunction, and may perform more poorly academically.
- A USDA survey of 1,295 children between 1994 and 1996 found 14 percent of low-income children and 16 percent of children in higher-income households did not eat breakfast. Children who ate breakfast at home or at school had a better overall diet compared with those who didn't.
Breakfast facts
Between 1965 and 1991, the number of teens eating breakfast dropped 17 percent, according to the USDA. During the same period, the number of elementary schoolchildren eating breakfast declined 9 percent.
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External Sources
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American Dietetic Association
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U.S. Department of Agriculture
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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