Breakfast first

If mornings are rushed at your house and you barely have time to eat anything, think

about changing your routine. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that break-

fast really is the most important meal for your brain. One such study showed that

students who didn’t eat breakfast or just had a drink struggled on tests of memory

and attention. Their performance grew even worse by mid-morning. In contrast,

even having cereal helped the students to focus throughout the morning. Another

study showed that students who eat breakfast regularly have higher test scores

than their classmates who skip breakfast.

If you do have time to prepare breakfast for your child before school, consider

foods that won’t only give your child the energy she needs until lunchtime, but that

also powers her brain. If possible, save the sugary breakfasts, like muffins and

pancakes, for the weekend. Oats and bran cereals are a great energy source for

the brain, and you can make them more exciting by adding yogurt or your child’s

favourite fruit as a topping. If your child needs something sweet, avoid sugar and

try honey instead. Eggs are another great breakfast food for your child. If your

child needs inspiration, trying reading the Dr Seuss classic Green Eggs and Ham

the night before. Another trick that I use with my little one is to make an omelette

into different shapes and tell a story. Usually, he’s so engaged in the story that he

doesn’t have time to complain about the eggs!

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