I’m sure you have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, according to studies that is not just some old wives tale but pure truth. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast maintain a healthier body weight and are more alert. However, what you eat for breakfast is just as important as eating breakfast. You need to start your day out with slow burning carbohydrates like oatmeal in order to keep you feeling full longer and to help maintain your blood sugar at a healthy level. You will also notice that your energy level will not fluctuate as much if you have a breakfast containing lean proteins and whole grains.
This is especially true for children and teens. Children and teens are still growing and need a solid breakfast to stay alert and maintain their health. Sadly, in today’s world of grabbing a bite and going we sacrifice our health by eating for convenience and taste. Parents unwittingly condition their children to crave sweets in the morning by allowing them to eat sugar for breakfast. The end result will be a child who is lacks concentration, is fatigued, and on the road to obesity.
I was one of those parents who fed her children sugar for breakfast until I finally examined the labels on food. When my two year old would complain she was hungry in the morning I would give her cereal or a muffin but she rejected it and still complained of hunger. On mornings where I made eggs and breakfast meat she ate like a champ. Her body craved the right kinds of foods to get her going for the day. I was becoming instrumental in conditioning her to eat sugary cereal or other poor choices due to convenience. Once I realized that I decided to change breakfast from sugary empty calories with added vitamins to a nutritional breakfast. I have seen positive changes in my children’s cravings and hunger patterns since that change.
I encourage you to read the labels of the cereal in your cupboard and re-examine breakfast in your home. Having a nutritional breakfast will benefit your children and you. It will also promote a healthier lifestyle and body weight for the whole family.
Stay tuned as in Part 2 of Sugar for Breakfast, I will give you the nutritional information of common breakfast foods we eat or feed our children.
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