University of Wisconsin - Extension

Contact: Julia E. Salomon, 608-263-7321, julia.salomon@ces.uwex.edu

MADISON, WIS.--Research continues to show that breakfast does more than just satisfy morning nutritional needs.

"There is evidence that children who eat breakfast perform better academically and have fewer behavior and emotional problems," says Julia E. Salomon, program specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Studies also suggest that children and adults who eat breakfast consistently are less likely to be overweight than those who do not eat breakfast. "A recent study shows that teenagers who consistently eat breakfast have healthier diets, tend to weigh less and engage in more physical activity than those adolescents who skip breakfast," says Salomon.

Despite the proven benefits, many people don't start their day with a meal. Lack of time, economic resources, or access to healthy foods may contribute to low breakfast consumption for many children and adults.

"One option for ensuring that all school children have access to breakfast is the federally funded School Breakfast Program which provides at least one-fourth of a child's daily requirements for calories and other nutrients," says Salomon.

"The more we learn about breakfast, the more we realize that breakfast just might be the most important meal of the day," she says. Breakfast is beneficial because it keeps hunger at bay, minimizing the temptation to overeat throughout the day. It also provides the necessary fuel to the muscles and brain to allow them to function efficiently.

"The link between eating breakfast and improved school success and an overall healthy lifestyle is a solid one," notes Salomon.

She suggests some easy breakfast ideas to help jump start your day.

• Low-fat cottage cheese with peaches (or other fruit) and a slice of raisin bread
• Whole wheat bagel with light cream cheese, an apple and skim milk
• Whole wheat toast or bagel with peanut butter and banana slices, and skim milk
• Oatmeal with skim milk, raisins and walnuts
• Homemade smoothie with frozen or fresh fruit and low-fat vanilla yogurt
• Bowl of low-sugar cereal with skim milk, low-fat yogurt and a slice of melon
• Scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast, a small glass of 100% juice and milk
• Whole grain cereal and skim milk topped with dried or fresh fruit
• Bran muffin, low fat cheese, fruit and milk
• Hard boiled egg, a piece of whole wheat toast, fruit and milk
• Breakfast sandwich (soy sausage or lean ham with egg), fruit and milk
• Vanilla yogurt topped with fresh or dried fruit, and nuts

For more information and suggestions on breakfast and school breakfast, contact your local county UW-Extension office. The Wisconsin School Breakfast website at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/flp/food/schoolbreakfast/ features information about the benefits of breakfast and school breakfast programs. The Department of Public Instruction School Breakfast website at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/fns/sbp1.html also contains more information about Wisconsin’s school breakfast programs.