Ok so I have to admit that breakfast at our household during school days had been very rushed and not so healthy. I would always let Christian pick out the oh so common cereal box that we all see advertised on TV. I'd pour a heap of sugary cereal with 2% milk into a bowl and set it on the table. I've obviously been slacking and taking the easy, unhealthy way out. Breakfast is referred to as the most important meal of the day, but somehow I don't think that a bowl full of sugar is what they are talking about. Breakfast is supposed to refuel my child and help boost his brain power for a busy day at school.
Recently I've been making a better attempt to start Christian's day out with a healthier meal. I am keeping on my track of incorporating more fruits and because we have a super-sized box of cornflakes in the pantry I figured we'd have to use them up first. At a closer look at the labeling though I realized that the cornflakes aren't so bad compared to the off-brand of wheat cereal squares that we also have. So I didn't feel so terribly bad. Anyway, the first day towards a healthier breakfast included a banana on the side. The second cereal day was banana slices 'in' the bowl. Christian thought it was so tasty and now wants banana in his cereal each time. But is cereal with fruit a healthy enough breakfast? So I got to thinking...just what does a healthy, balanced breakfast for a kid consist of? I searched online and had a little trouble finding a clear outline, but did find the following guidelines at MayoClinic which advises to "try to choose one or two options from each category to round out a healthy breakfast."
Yikes! I have been falling below the bar when it comes to starting Christian out with a healthy breakfast. So a more balanced approach to the start of the day for my boy should be more like this:
Yeah, sure! I can do that! Now that I am educated on what he should be eating for breakfast I need to do some recipe searching so that I can keep it fun & interesting for him.
Recently I've been making a better attempt to start Christian's day out with a healthier meal. I am keeping on my track of incorporating more fruits and because we have a super-sized box of cornflakes in the pantry I figured we'd have to use them up first. At a closer look at the labeling though I realized that the cornflakes aren't so bad compared to the off-brand of wheat cereal squares that we also have. So I didn't feel so terribly bad. Anyway, the first day towards a healthier breakfast included a banana on the side. The second cereal day was banana slices 'in' the bowl. Christian thought it was so tasty and now wants banana in his cereal each time. But is cereal with fruit a healthy enough breakfast? So I got to thinking...just what does a healthy, balanced breakfast for a kid consist of? I searched online and had a little trouble finding a clear outline, but did find the following guidelines at MayoClinic which advises to "try to choose one or two options from each category to round out a healthy breakfast." - Whole grains. Options include whole-grain rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereals, low-fat bran muffins, crackers, or melba toast.
- Low-fat protein. Options include hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat and poultry, or fish, such as water-packed tuna or slices of salmon.
- Low-fat dairy. Options include skim milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.
- Fruits and vegetables. Options include fresh fruits and vegetables or 100 percent juice beverages without added sugar.
Yikes! I have been falling below the bar when it comes to starting Christian out with a healthy breakfast. So a more balanced approach to the start of the day for my boy should be more like this:
- a slice of whole grain bread with peanut butter
- a piece of fruit
- a glass of low-fatt milk
Yeah, sure! I can do that! Now that I am educated on what he should be eating for breakfast I need to do some recipe searching so that I can keep it fun & interesting for him.
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