Health for Life

Better Breakfasts for Best School Performance

Benefits of breakfast for children

Starting the day with a balanced breakfast is linked with a number of health benefits. It improves overall performance and gives the body the energy it needs to function more effectively until lunch time.

Developing a habit of eating a healthy breakfast from an early age may protect children from developing health problems linked with a poor diet, such as diabetes and obesity in later years.

What is a healthy breakfast?

To provide the energy and essential nutrients a child needs, breakfast must contain a balance of nutritious foods. Combining a carbohydrate-rich food, a protein-rich food and a healthy fat is a good way to make sure children get a beneficial breakfast. Starting the day hydrated will also help to improve concentration and lower headaches and irritability at school.

Quick breakfast ideas

• Wholegrain toast (carbohydrate-rich) + poached/boiled/scrambled egg (protein-rich)+ canola margarine (healthy fat) + glass of water

• Bran cereal/porridge (carbohydrate-rich) + low fat milk (protein-rich) + almonds (healthy fat) + a glass of water

• Peanut butter (healthy fat) + wholegrain toast (carbohydrate-rich) + a low fat yoghurt (protein-rich) + a glass of water

• Smoothie made from fruit (carbohydrate-rich) + low fat yoghurt (protein-rich) + peanut butter (healthy fat) + a glass of water.