Healthy Breakfasts on the Run can be Done!

Stephanie Stichter, RN CCNC Healthy Child Care Illinois

Having kids means that you are not only constantly on the run but also that you want to provide the healthiest meals as you possibly can…especially a good breakfast to jump start their brains and bodies for the day. Hey I know what you are thinking – how can I make home cooked breakfast for my kids when mornings are hectic anyway? It’s easy if you ensure that breakfast foods are on hand and keep them in convenient spots for kids to grab or cook in minutes. Make sure you have at least two easy-to-serve items from each food group in the house at all times. Talk to your kids and create a list of the foods that you all like and will eat when time is running short.  Breakfast CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be skipped.

Keep these foods on hand for quick and easy breakfasts:

Milk Group

· Yogurt, cheese slices-cubes or chunks, cottage cheese, string cheese and 2% milk, low fat dips

Meat Group

· Peanut butter, sliced meats such as lean turkey or ham, hard boiled eggs or egg salad.

Fruit Group

· Fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, melon or berries, boxes of raisins, dried cranberries or apricots, also canned fruits such as fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, and pears.

Vegetable Group

· Raw baby carrots, raw celery, green pepper or red pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, broccoli or cauliflower florets.

Grain Group

· Dry (low sugar-high fiber) cereals, instant oatmeal, bagels, English muffins, tortillas, crackers and whole grain breads, granola bars.

Yep, life is hectic and we do tend to eat on the run more than eating at the dinner table nowadays. But with a little planning and by keeping easy to grab foods on hand, it will save everyone time in the morning and get the kids off to school or child care with an easy nutritious breakfast to jump start their very active days.

Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day for everyone!