Breakfast still important part of leading healthy life

Studies have consistently shown, since the 1950s, that eating breakfast has a positive effect on school performance.

“Eating breakfast of any kind prevents many of the adverse effects of fasting, such as irritability and fatigue, “according to Bonnie Spring, Ph.D., University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School.
Now the quandary begins. Many parents report that their children don’t like breakfast foods.

Mornings are a rush and parents don’t have time to cook a traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs. Many cold cereals are full of sugar. What are parents to do?

While in the United States bacon, sausage, eggs, cereal, and donuts are the norm, other countries may have a very different idea of what to eat for the first meal of the day. A young person in Egypt might have beans, bread, black olives and water buffalo milk for breakfast.

Norwegian youth eat sardines or other fish. Chinese have congee (thin rice), pickled vegetables, peanuts and an egg.

As long as the needed nutrients are included (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins) you can eat what you wish for breakfast.

Here are some suggestions for a quick breakfast: Peanut butter on whole wheat toast—pita bread with yogurt—chicken noodle soup with fruit— left over cheese pizza—ramen noodles—a tortilla filled with turkey & cheese and an apple, smoothies made of milk or yogurt blended with bananas, berries or other soft fruit. There are no real "breakfast" foods.

Whatever a child will eat for breakfast that is healthy and full of nutrients is what makes for a great breakfast.

With the high stake testing coming up it is important that children take advantage of every opportunity to increase performance. Eating breakfast is a surefire way to get the day off to a good start.

Joanna Strong is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for the LSU AgCenter in Richland Parish.