Ways to Encourage Your Kids - and Yourself! - to Eat Breakfast

We've all heard it a million times: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet amongst the chaos of getting ready each day, millions of us skip this vital meal.

What's worse is children of all ages are skipping this meal before they are expected to go to school and be attentive for hours before they eat. Recent studies have shown that eating breakfast may improve cognitive functions related to test grades, school attendance and memory. Teens who eat breakfast tend to weight an average of 5 pounds less than those who skip breakfast. But how can you fit breakfast into your family's busy schedule and get your teen to teat something nutritious? Check out these 8 tips that might just tempt your kids - and even yourself!

Ways to Encourage your Kids - and Yourself! - to Eat Breakfast

1. Figure it out: Find out either by asking or experimenting what your child will eat and how much. It's okay if it's small, as people have different needs and a big breakfast may not settle well with everyone. Just eating something, though, is better than nothing at all.
2. Smooth moves: Try making homemade smoothies with milk, yogurt or soymilk, frozen berries, bananas and ice cubes,. Add a scoop of soy or why protein for added protein. Smoothies are quick, nutritious and can be eaten on the go if needed.
3. An eggcelent idea: Eggs pack a good amount of protein and are also easy to make fried, scrambled, poached or hard-boiled. Pair eggs with whole grain toast.
4. On-the-go: Grab and go with a container of yogurt (aim for low-fat and low-sugar), breakfast bars, dry cereal or pre-made fruit salad.
5. Cerealously: Cereal is another quick option, but be choosy in what you serve, aiming for high fiber (4 grams or more), low sugar (8 grams or less) and less than 7 ingredients total.
6. Dynamic duos: Classic combos like a whole grain bagel and low-fat cream cheese, toast with peanut butter and all-fruit jam, or yogurt and granola offer a nutritious start to the day.
7. Oughta be oats: The wonder food, oatmeal, can be paired with all kinds of delicious toppings. Offer oatmeal with berries, raisins and cinnamon, chopped nuts, a scoop of peanut butter, flaxseed or wheat germ.
8. From the freezer: There are several companies that make nutritious, tasty and whole grain waffles. Pick up a few boxes and offer them for breakfast with eggs, peanut butter or yogurt for protein.

With a little planning and investigation into what your children will eat for breakfast, you can encourage them to eat breakfast for heading to school. They will thank you when they realize how much more energy and attention they have throughout the day!