Start your Day off Right with Breakfast

The phrase, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” is very familiar. Your parents probably said this to you as a child, and it still rings true today. A healthy, well-balanced breakfast helps children start the day off right and provides a much needed energy boost to help them get through the morning.

That being said, there are appropriate ways to get an energy boost in the morning and there are some that are not. One thing young children and adolescents should avoid consuming, especially in large quantities or in the form of energy drinks, is caffeine. If caffeine is consumed, it should be in limited amounts and not on an empty stomach. Caffeine alone does not provide the body with any essential nutrients and can actually be harmful to the body.

Think about making breakfast a priority in your home. Even with a hectic schedule, try to allot some time for the whole family to sit down and eat a healthy morning meal together. Families that eat together tend to eat healthier, and mealtime gives parents a chance to model healthy eating habits.