What’s For Breakfast? Healthy ideas for breakfast for kids of busy families


Say no to donuts for breakfast
Say NO to donuts and pastries for breakfast.
Such a bad idea–especially for kids.

Recently I have noticed that one of the parents in my daughter’s school is giving her child donuts and/or pre-made and packaged waffles/pancakes for breakfast every day.

It can be difficult for families to eat right and to give their kids healthy choices for breakfast.  It is tough, especially when time is short in the mornings, but this child is going to be at risk for diabetes and isn’t getting the best “brain food” for the morning. I can only imagine what the rest of her meals could be like.

What are some healthy breakfast ideas for kids of busy families? Healthy breakfast options for kids include homemade smoothies packed with nutritious ingredients, homemade muffins with healthy components like zucchini or oatmeal, DIY cereal or muesli, refrigerator oatmeal, and breakfast popsicles. These options are not only nutritious but also appealing to children, making them ideal for busy families.

I don’t know the parent of the above child, and I don’t know what I’d say to them if I had the chance.  I want to suggest some alternatives that would be healthier and still be attractive for the child to eat.

[See my list of the best places to get fruits and vegetables in Maryland – if you don’t live in Maryland, it might still give you some ideas of where to look!]

Indeed, after months of being fed sugar snacks for breakfast, it will be challenging to get the girl to eat something else. But perhaps with some coaxing and some information about nutrition, she might be willing to make some changes.  At this point, I have a feeling it is going to take some creativity.

I think almost anything would be better than plain old chocolate donuts (they look like they’re from Dunkin’ Donuts).  Even processed cereal like Apple Jacks or Cap’n Crunch would probably be an improvement from a donut.  But there are much better choices. I think this parent probably holds the same belief as many others–if it is on the store shelf, you can buy it and eat it, and all will be fine–everyone does it so it must be okay.  The same goes double if a restaurant sells it.

[See my list of educational TV shows for kids]

Here are some ideas that would be better and in the case of the above child, would probably be readily accepted into the breakfast rotation:

Hand Mixer

– Smoothies – The homemade kind.  You can pack alot of nutrition into a smoothie, and kids will think it is on par with dessert.  The key is to use true, wholesome ingredients.  A typical smoothie made for my kids would include frozen blueberries or pineapple (from Costco), organic oatmeal, spinach (yes, that’s right!), a banana and/or strawberries for sweetness, flax meal, or maybe oat bran.

I used to use an immersion blender to mix these together, and clean up is, therefore, speedy and easy, and those are really great and affordable. But now, I now own a Vitamix, which makes smoother smoothies and is equally easy to clean.  While drinking your breakfast can be really effective, many will find that they need to chew something to feel like they are full.  I suggest a piece of toast, bagel, or muffin to go with it.

PRO TIP: Orange juice you buy in the grocery store is most likely NOT what you think it is.  (Unless you saw someone squeeze it out of an orange)  Store-bought orange juice isn’t so wholesome, and although it tastes good, the tastes are almost always artificially added, even though the package labeling leads you to believe otherwise.

For a full explanation of what you’re really buying when you purchase orange juice, see this article.  I would also add that orange juice comes with quite a bit of it’s own sugar, so keep that in mind if OJ is part of your morning.

– Muffins – The homemade kind. Muffins made with the right ingredients can be nutritious and delicious. Zucchini Oatmeal muffins are a favorite around our home.  There are so many others that don’t have lots of sugar but have lots of nutrition. Muffins can be made on the weekend, and hopefully, the child will participate so they’ll know what they are eating and learn to enjoy it.  Kids will think they’re getting a pastry, but really it will be a healthy part of a morning start.

PRO TIP: Most muffins freeze well for future use.

– Make your own cereal – My wife has taken it upon herself to mix up a batch of cereal once or twice a week.  She’s basically making muesli, but the process involves roasting a combination of oatmeal, nuts, etc.  There are many great recipes out there, and since you can control what’s going into it, you’ll know what you’re eating and save a ton of money on premade cereals.  The bonus is that if you get the kids involved in making the cereal, they are more likely to enjoy eating it.

– Refrigerator Oatmeal – There are many great recipes for “overnight oatmeal” See this link for ideas.

– Breakfast Popsicle – Every kid likes Popsicles. Suppose they were the healthy kind? See here for a great breakfast Popsicle recipe!

Other healthy ideas from a vegan friend of mine.  To quote her directly, “Fresh fruit and veggies are good.  Wasa crackers (or other whole grain crackers) with avocado slices, hummus, or another fave dip are also good.  Yogurt, of course!  Add granola or other ingredients for a heartier dish.  Pita pocket with hummus and veggies.  Air-popped popcorn.  Dried fruit + nuts.  Whole grain crackers with vegan cream cheese.  “Ants on a log”–celery with nut butter or cream cheese and raisins.  Fig bars.”

Do you have breakfast ideas? Please share in the comments. I would add that sometimes a treat is a good thing, just maybe not for breakfast. Have a look at my list of some of the best bakeries and ice cream spots in Howard County, Maryland.
See my list of gift ideas for gifted kids, list of party favor ideas, and my list of birthday party places in Prince George’s County Maryland.

Summary
What's For Breakfast? Healthy ideas for breakfast for kids of busy families
Article Name
What's For Breakfast? Healthy ideas for breakfast for kids of busy families
Description
Looking for alternatives to sugary cereals and donuts for breakfast? Here are a few ideas that worked for me and my family.
Author
Eron Cohen
Publisher Name
eroncohen.com
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