School Fuel: Kids' Healthy Morning How To's

Getting kids off to school in the morning with a tummy full of healthy food will do wonders for their health and well-being. A balanced breakfast can even help children achieve good grades due to more stable blood sugar levels that increase brain function, including the classroom-critical, though often elusive, attention span. Here are a few easy ways to give your child(ren) a healthy head start each day from the experts at HealthyKidsCatalog.com:

- Turn off the TV while eating breakfast, as studies show that those who watch TV while eating consume higher amounts of fat - and calories as they are more inclined to eat "mindlessly"

- Small changes at breakfast = big results. Skim milk instead of whole, wheat toast vs. white, sugar-free all-fruit jam vs. butter, egg whites or egg substitute vs. whole eggs, lean ham vs. bacon, sliced tomatoes vs. hash browns, fiber-rich whole grain cereal or oatmeal vs. sugar-laden, whole wheat waffle with a touch of honey vs. a toaster pastry...you get the idea

- Parents can make healthier cereals just as exciting to children as the sugar-stuff varieties by putting their own toy of choice into the box as the prize, which the candy masquerading as cereals do to increase adolescent-driven demand. You can also add dried or dehydrated fruit such as raisins; apricots, pears and apples to healthier cereals to increase their "curb appeal" and flavor

- Fresh fruit is always a crowd pleaser, and every child is apt to love at least one type. Serve it up as a morning staple, and allow your child(ren) to make "special fruit requests" - and honor them. Consider instituting a fun "fruit of the week" breakfast plan, and take the opportunity to discuss the health benefits of each week's selection

- No time for a sit down? In a pinch, cereal bars can be a life savor. Seek those where the first ingredient listed is whole grain, has less than 10 grams of sugar per bar and a maximum 3-4 grams of fat

- Commend your child when he or she makes a healthy food choice on their own by proclaiming how strong, fast, smart, etc. you bet (s)he will be that day for eating such healthy food. It's also fun to tell younger children to you "just saw them grow an inch" upon their completing a notably healthy breakfast. Measure the top of their head to your body to "prove" it.