Congrats Kerry and Lelani!
I have to eat breakfast. Without it I can be beyond cranky.
My mom forced me to eat my cereal in the morning when I was at school and I am eternally grateful. I can remember a friend of mine in Grade 1 could not keep his eyes open in class and teachers thought he had learning difficulties… turned out it was because he refused to eat breakfast! Once his mom made sure he went to school with a full tummy, he had no problems keeping up with the rest of the class.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Especially for school-going children.
Did you know that almost one in five children go to school without breakfast? Studies indicate that children who attend school hungry have problems with their health and performance in school. Without having breakfast it is impossible for children to feed their minds and reach their full potential in school.
Below, Kellogg’s South Africa shares more about why kids should not skip breakfast and how they are filling tummies with their amazing Breakfast for Better Days™ initiative.
Feeding young minds: make breakfast the most important meal of the day
It is said to be the most important meal of the day, but what makes breakfast so special? During the daily chaos of life, it is easy to sometimes miss out on your morning meal. However, registered SA dietician Kelly Francis believes that spending breakfast time together as a family has a noticeable, positive effect on the children’s learning and wellbeing.
“It is important that families sit down at breakfast time as a family. We teach our children how to walk, talk, but we forget that it’s important to teach them how to eat properly, to fuel their body with the right kind of foods. It’s about being an example and conscious of what we are teaching our children,” said Francis.
Parents who encourage breakfast time with their children also encourage a healthy relationship with food and healthier snacking habits.1,2 Research has shown that children who start their day with breakfast tend to have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and less chance of being overweight or obese.
“Children must focus on putting the right nutrients in their bodies as soon as they wake up. This will ensure they can learn and grow, and become the best they can be,” Francis adds. She says breakfast provides the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast – that’s where its name originates, breaking the fast! Without breakfast the body is effectively running on empty, it’s like trying to start a car with no petrol!”
Studies indicate that breakfast helps children feel more alert and be in a better mood in the morning. That first meal of the day supports concentration in the classroom and helps fuel physical activity on the playing field which can translate into more fun. Breakfast intake has also been associated with improved memory, test grades and school attendance.
Unfortunately, many households do not always have access to breakfast and almost one in five children in South Africa goes without breakfast every single day. Kellogg’s South Africa has aimed to combat this issue with its Breakfast for Better Days™ initiative.
Since the programme began in 2014, over 13 million breakfasts have been served up, with 25 000 children getting a balanced breakfast every school day in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. The initiative provides these learners with grain-based cereals, which help to supply them with the fuel they need to make the most of every day.
“In order to help to develop a good relationship with food in adulthood, children must be taught the benefits of a balanced breakfast. Children who don’t eat breakfast before school are at a disadvantage and may be tired, anxious or aggressive. They aren’t able to concentrate and easily lose interest in lessons and activities. A hungry child struggles to follow what is going on in the classroom and doesn’t have the energy to participate in sports or activities. This eventually impacts upon their learning potential and may affect them emotionally and physically as they grow,” Francis concludes.
It seems that healthy habits in adulthood start with education in your childhood. So if you don’t already, try and take the time to ensure your children are properly fueled with breakfast, to feed not only their tummies, but their minds too.
KELLOGG’S GIVEAWAY
Kellogg’s has sponsored 2 awesome hampers for this giveaway!
Tell me which is your favourite Kellogg’s cereal in the comment section and you are in the draw. Extra entries for Facebook and Twitter shares – make sure to leave a separate comment for each share telling me where you’ve shared the giveaway. Please make sure to leave your Twitter handle and/or Facebook name for verification. Max of 3 entries per person. Giveaway is open to SA residents only. The sponsor will send the prizes directly to the winners. Winners will be announced on 27 May ’16.
Good luck.
xoxo
