You know the kids should eat a healthful breakfast before they head to the bus stop, right? But sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the morning scramble to get everyone out the door, breakfast can be an afterthought for some families. And while something is better than nothing, there are better solutions than doughnuts, drive-throughs and poptarts.{relatedarticles} It may take a little preparation, but getting the kids to eat a healthy and quick morning meal can be done. And it should be - kids who don't eat breakfast don't do as well in school as those who do. After fasting all night, the body and brain need glucose, which helps the brain process and remember information. In study after study, breakfast-eating children perform better on various tests than those who don't eat breakfast.
And the type of breakfast kids eat matters, too. High-sugar breakfasts cause blood sugar levels to peak dramatically within an hour or so of eating, leaving the child with little energy to last until lunch. But low-glycemic foods like oatmeal keep the blood sugar at an even keel and provide energy for a longer period of time. So what are good, quick foods that keep your child going until lunch? {relatedarticles}Keep easy-to-prepare items on hand, like frozen, whole-grain waffles that can be topped with yogurt and pre-cut fruit. Peanut butter is always a great choice when paired with whole-wheat bread and fruit. A great rule of thumb is to mix and match one protein - string cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, eggs, etc.; then add fruit or vegetables; and round out the meal with whole grains, such as tortillas, bagels, breads or waffles.