With the start of school here for many of us, it’s a great time to start planning for the shift from the more relaxed summer schedule. While planning for school clothes and supplies, don’t forget meal planning. Did you know that studies show that children who eat a healthy breakfast score higher on tests and overall, do much better academically?
Developing brains need meals and nutrition on a regular basis to function. Skipped meals can affect a child’s ability to learn, behavior, and physical health. Yes, food does so much more than keep our bodies healthy, it also feeds our mind. Breakfast is definitely one meal we can’t afford to skip, even though it can be the busiest time of day trying to get everyone out the door on time.
For the parents, eating a healthy breakfast can do much of the same, leaving you energized with clear thinking to tackle the work day, not to mention it can be a great metabolism booster. Overall benefits for everyone; it’s vital to maintaining our mood and energy, maximizing attention span, concentration, and memory. So let’s look at some quick “to go” alternatives for those busy mornings.
A breakfast of whole grains, protein, and fresh fruit are vital for a balanced breakfast, but many quick breakfast options are full of sugar and low in fiber, leaving us with that dreadful brain fog! Oatmeal and other whole grain cereals with at least 4 grams of fiber per serving and less than 5 grams of sugar (the lower the better) provide a quick alternative. Add some fresh fruit and milk and you’re good to go.
But if you need to eat on the run occasionally, try making a few egg & whole grain tortilla wraps the night before, put them in the refrigerator and reheat in the morning. You can also make some hard boiled eggs to have on hand, or take a whole grain wrap, put some “all natural” (preferably organic) peanut or almond butter on it, then place sliced bananas and role it up, or make some delicious yogurt smoothies the night before to send with everyone as they head out the door!
These are just a few ideas for quick, on the go breakfasts that will leave you with the energy and focus you need to start your day off right.
