For most families, a typical morning means waking up late, multitasking (preparing breakfast while getting the older kids ready for school), and rushing to get everyone out to classes and work on time.
Because mornings can be so busy, it can be a challenge for parents to serve a delicious and healthy breakfast every morning that’s good for the whole family – as well as see to it that everyone, including the youngest members, enjoys having breakfast together.
From ordering grocery delivery and preparing meals ahead of time to using fun utensils and plates to make food more enticing for little ones, there are plenty of things parents can do to provide a positive breakfast experience for preschool-age children.
But first, let’s look at why breakfast is essential for kids.
The Importance of Eating a Well-Balanced Breakfast
Giving your kids and toddlers something nutritious for their first meal of the day should always be a priority. This is because a balanced breakfast that incorporates items from the essential food groups for children enables them to enjoy a variety of health benefits, which include:
- Better attention span and memory.
- Less irritability, restlessness, and fatigue.
- Improved energy levels.
- Healthy body weight.
- Better overall nutrition for optimal growth and development.
Serving Toddlers a Nutritious Breakfast Every Day
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it provides the fuel your toddler needs, so it’s crucial to ensure they have a nutritious one every day. Consider the following tips:
1. Plan in advance
To make sure your kids eat something healthy at the start of each day, remember to include breakfast in your meal planning.
By thinking ahead, you can shop for the right ingredients that will allow you to prepare well-balanced meals every day. With a wide range of foods in your pantry and fridge, you can be sure you will also have other healthy, ready-to-eat options.
Some of the healthy items you can usually find in Spinneys’ products and other supermarket shelves that’ll make it easier for you to plan your weekly menu include:
- Whole grain cereals and bread.
- Oatmeal
- Eggs
- Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yoghurt
- Fresh fruits
- Beans
- Lean meat
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
2. Incorporate the Right Food Items in Each Dish
A balanced breakfast includes three vital nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fibre. As such, when preparing an early morning meal, try to make sure it has protein, whole grains, and fruit.
A sandwich with whole grain bread, turkey ham, cheese, and a banana on the side completes the healthy breakfast trinity.
Another great breakfast idea that meets this requirement is whole-grain waffles or pancakes topped with peanut butter or ricotta cheese and fresh berries.
3. Start Preparing Breakfast the Night Before
Prepping as many items as possible for breakfast at night will help you save a lot of time and energy the following day. Having a head start with the meal means you won’t have to wake up early to serve something healthy and filling to your children.
This can be boiling some eggs at night if you plan on serving them in the morning. If you’re serving oatmeal, cook them in the evening and put them in the fridge. You can heat the oatmeal the following day.
If you are serving some fruits and veggies for breakfast, you can cut or slice them the night before and store them in the fridge.
4. Serve Small Portions
For breakfast, quality always trumps quantity. As such, don’t put too much effort into serving a plateful of food to your kids, especially the younger ones, for breakfast.
Keep in mind that most kids cannot handle large portions. They will have a hard time finishing a whole toast or bagel, a plate full of scrambled eggs, and a glass of orange juice.
To ensure your kids still eat a well-balanced meal every morning, allow them to finish half of the bread, have a few spoonfuls of eggs, and drink some juice. Doing so will ensure they get some of the nutrients from the food you gave them.
5. Use Fun, Toddler-Safe Utensils and Tableware
Eating breakfast can become an enjoyable experience for little kids when you guide them in using specially designed-toddler utensils.
Your child’s small hands aren’t yet big enough to handle adults’ spoons, forks, and bowls, and it takes time for them to develop sufficient coordination to bring food into their mouths when eating. All parents know this very well, thanks to all the cleanup (often with lots of baby wipes) that must be done after every mealtime with a toddler.
While your toddler has a few more years of growing to do, it’s best to provide good quality kids’ tableware for them to use during meals. Start with soft, easy-learning feeding spoons that are rounded and made to fit small mouths and have anti-slip handles that young children can easily grip.
Pair these feeding spoons with eating bowls that contain small portions of food, like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, or sliced fruit – enough for a toddler’s breakfast. And until your toddler can drink out of a glass, go ahead and get them a sippy cup for their milk or juice.
All of these toddler utensils come in pretty colours and character designs that will surely add fun to your toddler’s meal every time.
Following the tips above will make your mornings less stressful and exhausting. You will always be sure your children will have a nutritious breakfast daily – one that will also keep them happy and energised throughout the day.
