Experts agree that forcing your child to eat, at any time of the day, is not a good idea. However, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, and you should certainly encourage your child to eat it!
It’s interesting to note that aside from all the health benefits of breakfast, studies at leading universities have shown that children who eat breakfast tend to behave better than those who don’t! If your child doesn’t like to eat breakfast, or isn’t used to it, there are a few things you can try to make things a little easier:
Try something small. Many children can’t face a big breakfast at first, so try something light, like dry breakfast cereal, a few cubes of cheese, or some fruit.
Look for a children’s cereal that your child likes. Most are fortified with and minerals are low in fat and depending on choice may be high in fibre.
Making your child a smoothie, with fruit, yogurt and even oats, can get around the problem of kids who don’t like to eat in the morning. Remember, whether your child eats, or drinks, his or her breakfast doesn’t matter – as long as they’re having it!
Choosing healthy foods that your child enjoys is always a good idea.
Setting a good example, by eating breakfast with your child, is one sure fire way to get your child eating breakfast. Remember that children love to mimic their parents, so if you want to encourage behaviour, you need to practice what you preach!
Letting your child help when preparing breakfast, whether it’s holding the cup while you whisk eggs for an omelette, or stirring the porridge (with caution), is another good way to encourage eating breakfast.
Did you know that food with added vitamins and minerals, such as Kellogg’s breakfast cereals, provide almost one third of children’s iron intakes. Every bowl of Kellogg’s cereal also provides six B vitamins which are all essential for a healthy body.
Some even provide vitamin D and the essential mineral calcium.
Read more: Wholegrain goodness
