Breakfast Basics

It can be tough to get kids fueled up in time for school, childcare, or a day of play. But a good breakfast is important. Here’s how to make a healthy breakfast part of your morning routine.

Why Bother With Breakfast?

Breakfast is a great way to give the body the refueling it needs. Kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to be physically active — two great ways to help maintain a healthy weight.

Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired, restless, or irritable. In the morning, their bodies need to refuel for the day ahead. Their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don’t eat something for breakfast.

Breakfast may help keep kids’ weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body’s metabolism, the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. And when the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories. And some studies suggest that bodies burn calories better in the morning than late at night.

People who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight because they may:

• Snack more often throughout the day.
• Overeat at later meals.
• Eat late at night.

Breakfast Brain Power

It’s important for kids to have breakfast every day, but what they eat in the morning is important too. To boost nutrition, choose breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fruits or vegetables, and protein while low in added sugar. Eating breakfast:

• helps kids get more fiber, calcium, and other important nutrients
• can help kids do better in school
• improves memory and attention, which kids need to learn

Breakfast eaters get better grades and score higher on standardised tests. And kids who participate in school lunch programs have fewer absences from school.

Free Fruit Days

At Thornhill Park Primary School, we offer free fruit each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.  Students are welcome to grab some fruit for breakfast, or for recess later.  Thanks to Coles Cobblebank for supporting this initiative.