Kids need Breakfast to Jumpstart their Day
This health information article from the Miramichi Regional Health Authority is designed to improve the health of Miramichi residents.

Breakfast is an important meal of the day.

"It is very important for children to eat a complete breakfast every morning before going to school," says Miramichi family physician Dr. Paula Keating. She says breakfast will help children remain alert during the day and will, overall help them achieve at school.

Many studies have found a relationship between eating breakfast and learning ability, attention span, and general well being.

"Children who regularly eat breakfast think faster, clearer, solve problems more easily, and are less likely to be irritable," says Dr. Keating.

Miramichi Regional Health Authority’s registered dietician Nathalie Guevin says that breakfast is a great time to sit down as a family before everyone starts their busy day.

"It may take away from your sleep time but the benefits to the family outweigh the extra sleep."

She says when parents sit down with their children and eat breakfast, it encourages healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Lynn O’Neil, a mother of two young children says eating breakfast is a part of their family’s daily routine.

"Our household is hectic in the morning with two kids getting ready for school and day-care and two adults getting ready for work however, we make the time to eat breakfast."

She says the effort of eating breakfast is worthwhile as everyone has the fuel they need to start their day.

Guevin says that weekday breakfasts do not have to be a gourmet affair. She recommends foods from the Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating that includes whole grain cereals or whole grain toast, bagels or English muffins spread with peanut butter, milk or yoghurt, and a fruit or fruit juice.

If it is impossible to sit down for breakfast or your children do not have an appetite first thing in the morning, an alternative would be for the child to eat at their school’s breakfast program.

"These programs are offered in most schools and are designed to provide students with the nutrition they need to start the day," says Guevin.

Recommended tips to get kids eating breakfast:

· Spend some time with the kids drawing up weekly breakfast menus; call them "specials of the house."

· Turn the TV off and sit together at the table.

· Set the table to include favourite breads, muffins, spreads, cereals, and fruits the family enjoys.

· Be a role model. If you want your child to eat breakfast, eat it yourself!

· Keep breakfast foods on hand. Have at least three easy-to-serve items that follow the Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating: Grain products, milk products, fruits and vegetables, meat and alternatives.

· Make it easy. Keep breakfast foods highly visible and in convenient spots for kids to easily access. Try to put dried fruits, granola bars, mixed nuts, and cereal boxes on the bottom shelf.

Dr. Keating says it is important for children to begin healthy eating habits at an early age, and this includes eating a healthy breakfast everyday.

"Breakfast keeps kids on target for meeting their nutrient needs and for being ready to learn. Kids need breakfast to jumpstart their day!"