Simple school day breakfasts

Getting kids to eat a healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a little planning and creativity, you can get your kids to the breakfast table each morning for a nutritious breakfast before they head off to school.

According to the American Dietetic Association, kids who eat breakfast perform better in school and in sports, have better concentration and focus, exhibit better problem-solving skills and have better eye-hand coordination than those children who skip breakfast. Consider these simple school day breakfasts that your whole family will enjoy.

Learn more about the importance of breakfast >>

Healthy breakfast burrito

Roll scrambled eggs, shredded cheese and a little salsa in a warm wheat tortilla. Serve with a handful of berries and a glass of cold milk.

Berry good French toast

Make French toast with whole grain bread and then top it with antioxidant-rich blueberries and slivers of almonds for a nutritious breakfast kids will love.

Sausage sandwich

Place a turkey sausage (or low-fat sausage) patty between two small pancakes to create a breakfast sandwich. Serve with a glass of milk or top sausage with low-fat cheese for calcium.

Breakfast pizza

Create a mini pizza for breakfast. Toast an English muffin, then top with a slice of tomato, slices of hard-boiled egg and a little bit of cheese. Broil until cheese melts.

Yogurt parfait

Layer blueberries or strawberries with low-fat plain yogurt and granola or high-fiber cereal. If you teach your kids to eat yogurt from a young age, they’ll be less likely to crave snacks like ice cream.

Dinner at breakfast

If your kids hate breakfast food, don’t fret. It’s okay to eat dinner for breakfast as long as it’s nutritious. Consider a bowl of soup (instead of oatmeal) along with fresh fruit on the side. You can also reheat rice leftovers from last night’s dinner and add egg or beans for protein.

Find out how to start a breakfast tradition with your kids >>

Easy breakfast ideas

• Grits topped with low-fat cheese
• Low-sugar, high-fiber cereal with milk and fruit
• Oatmeal topped with applesauce and raisins
• Peanut butter and banana on whole grain toast
• Omelet with low-fat cheese, spinach, mushrooms and onions
• Pita bread stuffed with anything from eggs and cheese to yogurt and fruit

Breakfast at school

If your child’s school offers a healthy breakfast option, it can be a great alternative to fixing breakfast at home — particularly if you have to be at work extra early. You can just drop your child off at school and know that he’s getting a nutritious breakfast. Kids are apt to eat their breakfast at school if their friends are also doing it. Get a copy of the breakfast menu to assure healthy nutrition guidelines are being met.

More breakfast ideas

5 Breakfast recipes both Mom and kids will love
5 Ways to get kids to eat breakfast
7 Brain-boosting breakfast ideas for kids