Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
If you were starting out on a long car trip, would you head off with an empty fuel tank? Of course not! But many of us do start our day without the fuel we need to get through ” breakfast.
The word “breakfast” is really two words ” “break” and “fast”. “Fast” is when you go without food, and so during the night while you’ve been sleeping, your body is fasting. In the morning when you wake up and eat, you break that fast.
A healthy breakfast helps to keep your energy and concentration levels up and helps you maintain a healthy weight. B reakfast helps to replenish your blood glucose levels, which are important for brain function and metabolism. B y eating breakfast, you’re boosting your energy and concentration levels and your metabolism. Breakfast also provides your body with a significant proportion of your total nutrient intake for the day.
Research has shown that kids who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight or obese later in life. Skipping breakfast also diminishes mental performance, which can make learning or concentrating that much harder ” kids who eat an inadequate breakfast are more likely to make poor food choices for the rest of the day and in the long term. Kids who skip breakfast also lack sufficient vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B2.
People who eat breakfast tend to have more nutritious diets than people who skip breakfast, and usually have better eating habits because they’re less likely to be hungry for snacks during the day.
It’s not enough just to eat any old thing at breakfast time ” this is the best time for you to choose a healthy, balanced meal that will give you all the important nutrients your body needs.
Of course, most of us are in a rush in the mornings, which means you need to choose something that’s quick and easy to prepare. Here are some suggestions:
Wholegrain cereal and milk with a piece of fruit or fruit juice
Toast with cheese and or/tomato or baked beans and a piece of fruit of fruit juice
Toast and a fruit and low fat milk smoothie
Fruit and yoghurt and a piece of toast
A muffin or crumpet with peanut butter and a banana
Porridge or rolled oats with sultanas and warm milk
Pack a sandwich and fruit drink you can take to go
If the thought of eating anything at all first thing in the morning makes you feel ill, you needn’t miss out. Just eat a healthy breakfast at morning tea time!
HEAD: A Good Start
INTRO: Breakfast Clubs for Kids
STORY: The Good Start Breakfast Club is a community program run by Australian Red Cross in partnership with Sanitarium, where volunteers serve breakfast every day for school kids in areas of greatest need around Australia.
The service provides nutritional support in a comforting environment and encourages children to develop improved social and living skills and ultimately achieve their full potential.
The program targets primary school children, but Good Start Breakfast Clubs are open for participation to all children in a school.
To find out more about the Australian Red Cross Good Start Breakfast Clubs, head to www.redcross.org.au or www.goodstartbreakfastclub.org.au or call 1800 015 044
Comments are closed.