ORLANDO, FL (PRWEB) August 19, 2015
The end of summer break means parents and kids turn their attention to the back-to-school essentials. In addition to paper, pencils and a backpack, be sure that the list of school day must-haves also includes a healthy breakfast, as it can be key to helping students reach their full potential in the classroom.
The benefits of a nutritious morning meal are not isolated to students’ health, the pay-off extends to their studies as well. In fact, research shows that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests, have fewer absences and have better behavior and memory than students who don’t eat breakfast.
A healthy breakfast should consist of nutrient-rich foods, which will help children meet the mark for key nutrients they need for proper growth and development. Foods like eggs, fruits and vegetables, dairy and whole-grains are all great foundations for building a healthy morning meal.
Fortunately, getting kids off to a great start in the morning can be simple. Here are some ideas that can help make breakfast fun, fast and easy.
- Fruit and yogurt smoothies are quick and versatile. The array of possible fruit combinations means that there is a smoothie to fit just about anyone’s preference.
- Whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk is always a good choice. Throwing in sliced fruit will add some natural sweetness.
- Grapes, apples and strawberries paired with low-fat cheese sticks are great grab-and-go options if time is severely limited. Just grab as you are headed out the door and enjoy a nutritious breakfast on the run.
“Eating breakfast has always been important from a nutrition standpoint, and the positive impacts it can have on a student’s in-school performance makes having breakfast even more critical,” said Alyssa Greenstein, RD, LD/N, registered dietitian with Florida Dairy Farmers and president of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Breakfast, whether at home or at school, gives kids the brain boost they need to be better students.”
For more information about Florida Dairy Farmers or to discover more healthy breakfast ideas, visit http://www.floridamilk.com.
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About Florida Dairy Farmers
Florida Dairy Farmers is Florida’s milk promotion group, working to raise awareness of the dairy farming industry and the nutrient-rich foods it provides. FDF represents more than 130 dairy farming families throughout the state. For more information, call 407-647-8899 or visit http://www.floridamilk.com.