In the new school year, how should parents prepare breakfast for their children to be healthy and study well?

Many children also like sushi for breakfast - Photo: THUY DUONG

Ms. NMK - 36 years old, living in Phu Nhuan district (HCMC) - said that this year her child started first grade. Previously, when going to kindergarten, the child ate breakfast at school so the family did not have to think much about what to feed the child for breakfast.

But now that he is in first grade, he has to eat breakfast before going to school, so Ms. K. really wants to know how to prepare a good breakfast for children?

Children who eat a full breakfast learn better.

Many people often say to each other "breakfast is the most important meal of the day". Doctor Ngo Thi Bach Yen, head of the skin care and treatment unit (examination department, Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital), believes that this saying is partly true.

Many studies have shown that children who eat a good breakfast do better in school. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children who eat breakfast before school have improved memory and concentration during class. Since the brain uses the most energy of all the organs in the body, a good breakfast is important.

According to Dr. Bach Yen, when children start returning to school, it is also time for parents to review the importance of a full breakfast before a school day, and also plan and create a menu for their children to eat for breakfast before they go to school.

A good breakfast for children is one that is full of nutrients. Dr. Bach Yen believes that breakfast should include dishes from several different food groups. Parents should try to include 3 to 4 different food groups in breakfast, such as:

• Carbohydrates include foods such as bread, noodles, rice, corn, potatoes...

• Protein includes foods such as milk, eggs, beef, peanuts, and beans. Some studies now suggest that children should also eat both animal and plant protein.

• Vitamins, fiber, and minerals include vegetables, fruits, salads, and milk (such as yogurt or fresh milk).

• Healthy fats (like avocado or peanut butter)

Eating a variety of foods from different food groups will help keep your child fuller for longer, so he or she can focus on learning at school.

Get rid of the habit of "buying anything" for your children to eat for breakfast.

Nowadays, many parents are busy and often "buy" something for their children to eat at school. Doctor Bach Yen has pointed out some foods that should be limited for children to eat for breakfast. These are fried foods, fast foods, frozen foods, carbonated drinks, and juices with a lot of sugar...

If children eat these foods in the morning, it can cause bloating and digestive discomfort. In addition, these foods also contain refined carbohydrates and added sugars, which can lead to a sharp drop in energy in the mid-morning.

Dr. Bach Yen suggests that parents try alternatives. Specifically, instead of giving children fruit juices that contain a lot of sugar, try giving them fresh fruit juices or fresh milk or skimmed milk.

Try whole wheat toast, a whole wheat muffin with peanut butter and banana, or whole wheat toast with avocado and chia seeds instead of fried foods like doughnuts... Doughnuts contain saturated fat, which is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

When choosing breads and cereals, choose those made primarily with whole grains. Whole grains include oatmeal, barley, brown rice cereal, buckwheat, whole-grain cornmeal, millet, whole-grain rye, whole-wheat, or others.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoa, former head of the nutrition department at Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed that breakfast is very important because it provides nutrients for the brain to function after a night without eating or drinking anything. A good breakfast needs to have all four groups of nutrients: protein, starch, fat and vitamins.

Dr. Hoa advises that it is best for mothers to cook breakfast for their children at home, but if they do not have the time or conditions, they should buy food for their children that has all the above nutrients. When buying, they should also choose reputable places to ensure food hygiene and safety for children.

According to Dr. Bach Yen, breakfast plays an important role in enhancing physical and mental activity as well as increasing children's learning ability, because breakfast is the main source of energy for the brain.

Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day for everyone, not just children. Eating the right breakfast will provide energy and help start the day full of energy.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vao-nam-hoc-moi-cha-me-chuan-bi-bua-sang-the-nao-cho-tre-khoe-hoc-tot-20240905092022756.htm