The advice we all got from our moms is true breakfast really is the most important meal of
the day, especially for kids
Breakfast gives kids the energy to start their day, and it
improves learning and behavior as well. And now new research shows that it can
also help keep them at a healthy weight.
“When your kids skip breakfast, they tend to be so hungry by
snack or lunch time that they overeat,” says Cleveland Clinic registered
dietitian Kate Patton.
Obesity linked with skipping breakfast
A new study followed 625 kids as they progressed from the
fourth to sixth grades to find out how often they ate cereal in the morning.
They were all children who lived in a low-income minority community, where
American kids are at the greatest risk of obesity.
Children who said they ate cereal every morning averaged in
the 65th percentile for Body Mass Index (BMI), which is considered a healthy
weight. Children who ate cereal only half the time ranked in the 95th
percentile for BMI, putting them in the overweight category. They also had
lower intakes of essential nutrients.
“This is a problem that only gets worse as kids get older,”
says Ms. Patton. “The number of kids who eat breakfast declines with age,
putting teens and pre-teens at a greater risk of obesity as they enter
adulthood.”
Good breakfast ideas for kids
Sure, cereals are easy and quick in the mornings, but Ms.
Patton warns that not all cereals are created equal
“Look for cereals with whole grains and at least 3 grams of
fiber per serving,” says Ms. Patton. “Read the labels for sugar and salt content
too, and pick ones with no more than 10 grams of sugar and no more than 140 milligrams
of sodium per serving.”
Some other ideas for a healthy breakfast:
•Fruit and yogurt (low-fat) parfaits topped with a whole
grain cereal
•Whole grain waffles with fruit or nut butter spreads
•A breakfast burrito stuffed with egg, cheese, beans and
salsa, or one made with peanut butter and banana
•Oatmeal with toppings like raisins, fruit (dried or fresh)
or nuts
“Make sure your kids eat something every morning to start
their day right and to help support a healthy weight,” Ms. Patton says.
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