Food Talk : Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
QUESTION: Is it really important to eat breakfast ? My children do not like to eat before they go to school. It is such a struggle. Honestly, how badly do they need that food ? ANSWER: I wish I could tell you it does not matter but in truth it does matter. Credible research over the last thirty years has proven that a healthy breakfast has a positive affect on brain function and energy level. Children who skip breakfast are more tired, irritable and exhibit restless behavior in the morning. Many times children are targeted as being hyperactive and it could be a result of hunger. In 1998 a study published by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine showed significantly higher math test scores after children ate breakfast. Many other studies support these findings and clearly show children who consistently eat breakfast have higher test scores in most areas of study. Children who eat breakfast are absent from school fewer days. Children who do not eat breakfast are even tardy more often than those who do not eat breakfast. There are very important nutrients provided by breakfast. These may not be made up during the day. For example, if a juice or fruit is not eaten that provides vitamin C at the breakfast meal frequently it is not eaten any other time of day. Believe it or not, children that do not eat breakfast usually have more problems with weight gain than those children eating breakfast. Eating regular meals helps with appetite control and portion control. If breakfast is not eaten children usually become very hungry and will snack on almost anything and eat very large quantities. Eating breakfast requires planning ahead as what too eat, getting up a few minutes earlier, or saying no TV or computers in the morning. But, I encourage you to do whatever it takes. You are establishing healthy lifestyle habits your children will benefit from for the rest of their lives.
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