It has been a known fact that among the 3 meals we have everyday, breakfast it the most important and skipping it is an unhealthy practice. From the word itself, breakfast means breaking the fast for the day. At night, during the child’s sleeping hours, he is not eating anything. His body uses up all the energy he was able to store and produce and upon waking up all his reserves has been substantially decreased and minimized. In order for the child’s mind and body to function after this 8 to 10 hour gap of not getting any nutrients, he needs to eat breakfast.

 Now that we know how important breakfast is to our children, we must also figure out which food to include in this meal. For instant energy, parents need to offer carbohydrates. Food sources rich in carbohydrates include rice, oatmeal, crackers, cereals, and bread products. Parents can opt to buy fancy-flavored, kid-friendly cereals like fruit loops and snow corn flakes for their children to enjoy. Protein and Calcium is as equally as important, these two help develop the child’s bones and muscles. Food items rich in protein and calcium include meat products, chicken, fish, milk, yogurt and other dairy products. Most children love drinking milk, various flavors like chocolate and strawberry are available to suit every child’s taste. Parents can have their children drink milk or mix it together with cereals, depending on the child’s preference.  Aside from carbohydrates and protein, food items rich in vitamins and minerals are also very important. Parents can include fruits such as grapes, oranges and mangoes which contain Vitamin C that boosts the immune system. They can also include bananas, berries and raisins which contain a significant amount of potassium and antioxidants. An example of a healthy breakfast which has all of these components would be Egg and Toast with a glass of fresh orange juice.

 A healthy breakfast can even become healthier, which makes it more important. A glass of milk can become a power formula if whey protein powder is added; it gives the milk more protein and calcium which enhances the child’s immune and cardiovascular system. Omega-3 and other essential fatty acids found in fish oil can be considered brain food, when taken on a regular basis, it improves vision, mood and brain function.  A suggestion for a good “smart” healthy breakfast recipe consists of a glass of milk enriched with whey protein powder; a piece of banana and fish oil, these three can all be blended together or given as is.

 Aside from the energy it supplies, why is it so important for children to eat breakfast?  The other reason why this meal is so important is because it plays a vital role in the child’s learning potential, not only does it make them more attentive in school, it also improves their academic performance. Children who skip this meal are less energetic and inactive; they can’t concentrate well making it difficult for them to learn.  To avoid this from happening, children should eat a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning.