Healthy breakfast for kids

We all know the famous saying, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” But is it true that everything kids and adults eat in the morning can impact your child’s activities and overall well-being throughout the day?

We believe so. The latest research shows that the easiest and most important way to a healthier life is to have breakfast regularly.

Many children forget breakfast as they find it difficult to eat early in the morning, or simply with our busy lifestyles, we tend to run out of time in the morning, often sacrificing the most important meal. “I’m not that hungry anyways,” “Let me sleep five more minutes,” “Don’t have time for a proper breakfast”… All these excuses sound too familiar, and all of us have been “guilty of charge” for skipping the most important meal of the day. However, for our children, having a proper morning meal should be part of their daily routine, without exception.

Studies show that breakfast in the morning gives our metabolism a good kick-start. With the right breakfast, we get a crucial intake of good energy throughout the day, and our bodies burn calories more efficiently, leading to a healthier body weight and more power.

And now that we’ve convinced you why it is important not to skip the morning meal, you might wonder when is the best time to eat breakfast.

Nutritionists recommend eating breakfast within the first hour of waking up since the glucose level in our bodies is at its lowest—also, breakfast ramps up our metabolism, further supporting our weight management.

For more healthy snack and food ideas, make sure to read these blogs:

What to eat before a football game?

Nine healthy snacks to keep your child active

So, going back to breakfasts, let’s see what is most beneficial.

Cereal ideas for healthy breakfast for kids

Cereal food can be tricky with the wide variety available in the supermarkets. However, it is important to look at the added sugars and the vitamin values added. A nutritious cereal should be whole grain with no added sugar and low sodium. Fresh bananas, berries, and nuts add vitamins and minerals to help young bodies grow and are a great way to add natural flavors to your cereal. This is Head Coach Anees Makrous’s favorite breakfast. For children, full cream milk is always best as this provides calcium to help with strong bones. Other alternatives to cow’s milk are almond milk and soy milk. Living in the UAE, I have even used camel’s milk on cereal. It has many health benefits and is rich in calcium. A dollop of yogurt is also a great calcium source and helps the stomach digest food.

Eggs ideas for a healthy breakfast for kids

Eggs are high in protein and have choline which helps transport nutrients throughout the body. Eggs are essential in assisting infants with their memory functions and development. There are many ways to prepare eggs: scrambled, boiled, poached, grilled, fried, or made into an omelet. Eggs are great with toast, salad, and vegetables and are versatile. My favorite memory as a child is having a boiled egg with the yellow slightly runny and dipping bread fingers into the yolk in my favorite egg cup.

Fruits and yogurt for a healthy breakfast for kids

For a quick breakfast, nothing beats fruit and yogurt. Full of vitamins and minerals, it is versatile as you can use your child’s favorite fruit. The fruit has many benefits, and adding breakfast ensures your child receives daily fruit intake. As mentioned, yogurt helps with calcium, aids digestion, and has many minerals that help keep healthy body weight. For an easy option, blend the fruit and yogurt to make a smoothie that can be put in a cup and taken in the car. It saves time while giving your child something to do in the car and simultaneously filling up on a nutritious breakfast.

We at Star Football Academy look forward to seeing our players excited and happy during their football classes in Dubai and Sharjah. A fresh start in the morning with a healthy breakfast makes a big difference to your child’s day. These are just some ideas that may be helpful to you, and I am sure there are numerous other ideas that you, as parents, have come up with. It would be wonderful to share these ideas. Please feel free to share your thoughts and post photos or recipes.