A lot of studies and research has shown that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school and overall have a healthier lifestyle and body. Eating breakfast will not only promote proper growth, but will sustain energy needed to function throughout the day.
Breakfast is often times a victim of the morning time crunch. From the time that alarm clock goes off, to the moment you are walking out the door, it feels like the blink of an eye! Many times it doesn’t seem like there is enough time in the morning to eat and make it to school on time. Even though you may be tempted to skip breakfast, there are some things you can do to help simplify your morning routine so that not only can you minimize the rush, but have time to get food in your kids bellies, AND keep from pulling your hair out in frustration!
Here are 8 tips to a good morning start:
1. Finish all homework and pack backpacks and lunches at night.
2. Decide on what your children will wear to school the next day, and before you go to bed, lay out their entire outfit, including shoes, coats, gloves, and hats.
3. In the morning, get up 15-30 minutes earlier during the school week to allow extra time for mishaps.
4. Give up computer games and morning television to minimize distractions, so kids can only focus on what they need to do to get ready for their day.
5. Have healthy foods on hand. Starting your kids young on healthy wholesome food will get them into healthy eating habits, and minimize the pushback most kids give their parents about eating a banana over a donut. Shopping for breakfast foods with your kids is helpful to take into account their personal preferences, as well as allowing them the opportunity to make positive food choices.
6. Set items needed for breakfast out the night before .. like bowls, spoons, cereal, waffle maker, glasses etc. For younger children, fill a zippered plastic bag with their portion, then add the milk in the morning.
7. If you have a microwave, get rid of it! They are soooo unhealthy! Start heating food up in the oven or on the stove instead.
8. It’s always best to sit down to a meal, chew the food really well and take your time eating. But some mornings may call for allowing your kids to eat in the car or on the way to school.
It’s always best to kind of plan ahead and anticipate you and your kids needs each day, and for the following day. Prepping for the morning rush as well as breakfast saves a lot of time and frustration in the morning. Simply by setting items out at night can shave off 15-20 minutes of running around the house looking for things.
The next time you are in a hurry in the morning, and things don’t go quite according to plan, remember that you are probably about to skip the most important meal of the day. So at the very least grab “on the go” foods like a banana, baggie full of almonds, trail mix with nuts seeds and dried fruit, baby carrots, or grapes.
Enjoy!
~Leanneā„
English
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