Page 23 - 2024 September Parker Co. 4-H Connection

The Importance of

Breakfast

May 9, 2016 by Dinner Tonight

We all know the familiar saying, “Breakfast is the most

important meal of the day” and it truly does play an
important part in giving us and our families a strong start
for our day. The American Academy of Pediatrics website -
healthychildren.org – details the many benefits of
encouraging your family to have breakfast:

Evidence that demonstrates children who eat
breakfast have a lower BMI than those who skip
breakfast
Studies that show students who have breakfast have
more energy and concentration and do better in
school
Better overall nutrition and eating more important

nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
Tips to make breakfast a good time for family mealtime:
1. Prepare the night before! Plan what the family will
have for breakfast the next morning and make as
much as possible the night before. If your family wants
cereal for breakfast, have the bowls, spoons, and box

of cereal on the table. Then the next morning you can
grab the milk from the refrigerator, slice a banana or
wash a handful of berries, and breakfast is ready.
Make sure to minimize the morning scramble of
finding missing homework, library books, or a stray
shoe by having backpacks organized and picking out
school outfits, complete with socks, shoes, and

accessories.
2. Set the alarm – and go to bed early! A common reason
for skipping breakfast is not having enough time, so
make sure to head to bed early and set the alarm to
allow for enough breakfast time the next morning.
3. Avoid distractions! Keep the TV, phones, and other

electronic devices off in the morning.
4. Keep it easy! If you know that you do not have a lot of
time in the morning or are consistently running late
then check out our videos featuring quick morning
meals and make-ahead breakfasts.