TIPS For Families

START THE DAY THE BREAKFAST WAY

Written by: Susan Hansen, Extension Educator

          A healthy breakfast is important for everyone – youth and adults. Breakfast helps get your body going in the morning.  Research has shown that youth who eat breakfast do better in school, are more alert, and miss fewer days of school.  If this works for children, think about how breakfast can help adults as well.

            No time in the morning for breakfast?  Do what you can the night before – set out bowls, spoons and cereals so they are ready.  Uncover the toaster and put the loaf of bread next to it for a quick but healthy breakfast the next morning.  Packing the breakfast to go is another option that works for some families.  If there is a school breakfast program available, sign up your children.

            While cereal and toast are excellent choices for a healthy breakfast, there are lots more choices. What foods would work for breakfast?  As a family, sit down and brainstorm ideas for breakfast choices.  Discuss those choices, keeping in mind that something like pizza once in a while for breakfast can be fun and also provide some needed nutrients.  By involving the children, they may be more receptive to eating breakfast each and every morning.  The adults need to be a role model and eat breakfast as well.

            Try some of these ideas for breakfast.  Spread peanut butter on a flour tortilla; top with bananas or raisins or jelly and roll up. Mix fruit with low fat yogurt or cottage cheese. Fill a soft flour tortilla with scrambled eggs, leftover cubes of baked potatoes, refried beans or salsa.  Mix leftover rice pudding with low fat yogurt, dried fruit, nuts and cinnamon.  Have ready made waffles, pancakes and French toast in the freezer to toast or heat in the microwave.

            Go to MyPyramid.gov to learn more about healthy eating.  Or contact your local extension office to find out the nearest nutrition educator with the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program.

For more TIPS for Families, go to unlforfamilies.unl.edu. Let us know how you used this information by clicking on the TIPS Feedback Form at the bottom of this page.