2019 is coming to an end, and for families that means our schedules are busier than ever. After school programs and extra-curricular activities are not winding down, but seem to be gaining momentum as our holiday tasks keep piling up. Finding easy breakfast ideas can be a struggle for families who want to get out of the house on time each day, as leaving behind dirty dishes and half-eaten breakfasts compounds the stress of the morning rush.
Is Breakfast Really The Most Important Meal Of The Day?
“Ideally, the first meal of the day should include a mix of servings chosen from a few of the 5 food groups (fruits, veggies, grains, dairy, and quality proteins), each high in nutritional value. Carbohydrates provide fuel, while proteins and fats provide energy and satiety over time.“
Read More: Debunking The No-Breakfast Trend: Study Shows Why You Need To Eat Breakfast
Parents understand the importance of eating a quality breakfast each morning, and our knowledge is now backed by scientific research. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that breakfast plays an important role not only in the energy level of children but their overall brain health. “Brain scans during prolonged periods without food show activity mainly in the mid-brain, the area associated with anxiety, agitation, irritability, and mood swings. After feeding, the frontal cortex lights up and amygdala activity quiets. The child is ready to learn.”
Read More: A Healthy Breakfast: Protein vs. Carbohydrates
A healthy breakfast prepares your child’s body and brain to learn, thus creating healthy students who are alert and prepared to enter into productive adult lives. It is an all-around victory for humanity that begins with the most important meal of the day!
Not As Hard As It Sounds: 20 Easy Breakfast Ideas
Our children’s childhood experiences differ greatly from the experiences we, our parents, and even our grandparents had as children. Things have changed quite a lot-some for the better, some not so much. What most can agree on is the ease of accessing and producing healthy, quality foods that can be consumed in a variety of ways.
The entire breakfast does not have to be a full, sit-down country breakfast before school and work each day, but it can be as simple as a ‘grab and go’ snack, and it can be healthy. The AAP recommends that a healthy breakfast includes a mix of servings chosen from the 5 main food groups, so your easy breakfast ideas can get really creative!
Keep reading to find 20 easy breakfast ideas for your children to add to their mental and physical health, and to make the morning rush a bit easier! All of these breakfasts can be prepared or even fully cooked ahead of time so that breakfast always has the ability to be grab-and-go style!
Vegetarian Easy Breakfast Ideas
Maintaining a dietary plan does not have to be stressful, and there are lots of easy vegetarian breakfast available on the internet or in the book store. If you would like to try a new recipe including a vegetarian breakfast, check out these ideas to help you get started!
Gluten-Free Easy Breakfast Ideas
Gluten-free dietary restrictions are a must-follow for anyone who adheres to this diet for health reasons, so avoiding the gluten protein in foods is really important. Steering clear of grains like wheat, barley, rye, and triticale helps manage signs and symptoms of celiac disease, among other medical conditions. If you have been searching for recipes to enjoy while maintaining this diet, you may enjoy trying these recipes!
Easy Breakfast Ideas: No Dietary Restrictions
For families that do not need to adhere to any dietary restrictions or preferences, the possibilities can seem endless! Sometimes, it just seems easier to pull the frozen waffles out of the freezer, but if you want to offer your family easy breakfast ideas that change things up, check out these recipes and start cooking!
There is a saying that goes “You either own the day, or the day owns you.” People who thrive in the early morning hours typically agree with this sentiment. For parents who have a hard time opening their eyes before 9 AM, this sentiment becomes challenging. Planning out your mornings the night before and knowing that the breakfast you have prepared is easy and healthy makes the mornings that much easier, especially when there are so many simple options to choose from!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out this article on 5 Gluten-Free Kids Lunch Ideas For The Health Conscious Mama.