If you are like most parents, it's almost more than you can do to get your kids up and out in the morning without either forgetting something or being late, not to mention the hassle of cooking a nutritious breakfast. You have probably heard that eating a balanced breakfast is important, but is it really that big of a deal? You might be surprised that what your kids eat might be the most important factor contributing to how well they do during their school day.
Studies unequivocally show that eating breakfast leads to better performance in school. In fact, findings indicate that children that eat a good breakfast get better scores on all standardized tests, and also, that they have better classroom behavior, as well as less hyperactivity at school. What they are eating also matters. If you are throwing your child a bowl of cereal and milk, that might not be doing the trick. Eating breakfasts that are high in sugar leads to eating more at lunch, fueling the epidemic of obesity.
What about lunch? Isn't that fairly straightforward? The good news is that if your child is eating a school lunch on a regular basis, this meal is getting more healthy. Organizations such as the School Nutrition Association are making concerted efforts to encourage all public schools to serve more healthy fare. Even the President is getting involved by proposing federal initiatives to fight childhood obesity.
As a parent or teacher, take the time to examine what is regularly on the school lunch menu. If it could use an overhaul to offer better nutrition, lobby the principal and school board to make some changes. Citing studies that show better performance is a good start. One school which made the switch to a healthier school lunch showed significant improvements in student performance and truancy were completely eliminated!
If you are uncertain of what to prepare for your kids that would improve their nutrition, take a look at the food pyramid that is issued by the FDA. This guide can assist you in making good dietary choices for you and your children. In fact, this is what school lunch programs use as their starting point for good nutrition. The FDA also maintains a database of healthy recipes that can be browsed by both a school lunch program, and the general public.
Focus on serving whole grains, lean meats and lots of fruits and vegetables. When you are planning breakfast, try an easy omelet and a piece of fruit. Classic lunch fare, such a peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat and an apple can ensure that your kids do their best during the day. School lunches such as salad bars and wraps are popular with kids, while offering fantastic nutrition. Don't forget to include the adjustment to your dinner menu as well. This will help fuel your child's growing body and prepare them for the next busy school day.
While it is true that most parents have extremely busy and hectic mornings, nothing should get in the way of you taking the time to focus on your child's nutrition. When it comes to their performance at school and their grades, nothing is more important than what they are eating. Children are constantly growing and changing, and they need adequate vitamins and minerals to fuel that activity on a daily basis.
