Breakfast Before School May Boost Child's Academic Performance

22/08/06 How many times have you told your child that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, only to skip it yourself? Children often mirror the eating patterns of family members, and research shows that breakfast before school may boost your child's academic achievement. As the new school year starts, visit Meals Matter -- http://www.mealsmatter.org, a free, non-commercial website, for a variety of resources and recipes to help make breakfast part of the morning routine for you and your child.

"A balanced breakfast can be fun, fast and flavorful! A yogurt smoothie, cheese and whole-grain crackers or even a peanut butter and banana sandwich all contain the carbohydrates, protein and fat needed to provide sustained energy for learning," said Andrea Garen, M.A., R.D., of Dairy Council of California. "Eating a balanced breakfast before school allows children to focus on classroom learning, not their rumbling stomachs."

A study by Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital showed that children who regularly ate breakfast scored higher on standardized tests, exhibited better classroom behavior and were more focused than children who skipped breakfast.(1) Because eating habits developed during childhood have the potential to last a lifetime, the long-term benefits of ensuring that children start each day with a nutritious breakfast will last years after they have graduated.

Interactive games, articles and featured recipes on the Meals Matter website can help make breakfast a back-to-school priority for adults and children alike. Some quick, tasty and nutritious breakfast choices that help get the day off to a good start include:

-- Low-fat milk and whole-grain cereal

-- Instant oatmeal topped with applesauce and low-fat milk

-- Whole-grain granola topped with fruit and yogurt

-- Peanut butter spread on whole-wheat toast or an English muffin

-- Bagel with cream cheese and raisins

-- Leftovers! A slice of pizza, stir-fry or a bowl of soup can be a great way to start the day