- Author: Emily Harris
In honor of National Breakfast Week, this month's Tasty Tips is all about the first meal of the day. Many of us are busy and find excuses to skip this important meal that “breaks the fast” after sleeping through the night. If this is you, then look no further than this post! You'll find tips and recipes to get over your breakfast slump and find out what it feels like to start every day right with breakfast.
1. Skip the excuses, not breakfast.
“I don't have time.”
“I don't like breakfast.”
“I'm not hungry in the morning.”
If you identify with any of these breakfast excuses, you're not alone. But before you make another excuse, remember that breakfast fires up your metabolism after 8-plus hours without any food.
2. Make breakfast prep an evening routine.
Prep everything you'll need for breakfast the night before, whether that's setting your bowls, spoons and cereal on the table or making a grab-and-go bowl of yogurt and fruit that you can take with you as you run out the door. If everything is already done, you're more likely to make this morning meal a priority.
3. Toss aside the idea of “breakfast food.”
Whether you have a child who doesn't like traditional breakfast foods or you find yourself cringing at the idea of eating a scrambled egg or oatmeal in the morning, forget the idea that breakfast is only made with certain foods. There are no rules to what you are allowed to eat at breakfast! If you have left over spaghetti that needs to be eaten or you prefer a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices, go for it! All that matters is that you eat in the morning, while aiming for at least three food groups when you do.
Need some #BreakfastInspiration?
Check out the recipes and articles below to start your day with food that energizes and inspires you.
Breakfast Ideas for Busy Mornings
Easy Breakfasts for Kids to Make
Smart Nutrition Solutions for Busy Mornings
Try one of these recipes, take a picture and tweet it to us @UCCalFreshFC with the hashtags: #BreakfastInspiration #UCCE #UCANR and the name of the recipe!
- Author: Kristi Noel Schultz-Sharp
At the end of last school year, Heaton Preschool teacher Liz Garcia took the breakfast lesson taught by UC CalFresh Community Education Specialist Kristi Schultz-Sharp to another level!
Students first learned about eating healthy foods for breakfast, followed by a physical activity.
Then they participated in making pancakes. But these weren't just any old pancakes, these pancakes were topped with vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh strawberries and bananas as a healthy alternative to syrup.
How will you take the nutrition lessons that happen in your classroom this year to another level of learning? Share your plans or past successes in the comments below.
- Author: Shelby MacNab
- Author: Kristi Noel Schultz-Sharp
Eating breakfast every day helps to "break the fast" by refueling your body in the morning. If you normally eat dinner around 6 p.m. and then sleep until 6 a.m., that is nearly 12 hours your body has gone without refueling.
Get the fuel you need...don't skip breakfast!
Lincoln elementary preschool students have come up with a breakfast chant to teach us the importance of eating breakfast. Check it out below.
Breakfast
Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast (ALL)
What’s the most important meal of the day? (TEACHER)
Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast (ALL)
What does breakfast do? (TEACHER)
It wakes up our brain so we can learn at school (ALL)
And our brain helps us to think and to remember (ALL)
And breakfast gives us? (TEACHER)
ENERGY! (ALL)
To get through our busy (TEACHER)
DAY! (ALL)
Thanks for sharing Ms. Ellis! Keep up the great work!
- Author: Shelby MacNab
Teachers enrolled in the UC CalFresh Youth Nutrition Education Program are provided with a "nutrition corner" border when they sign up to participate in the program.
Setting up a "nutrition corner" in your classroom or a high-traffic area at your school (cafeteria or library) and updating it with students' nutrition work is a great way to spread the word about the importance of eating well and staying physically active.
Promoting healthy behaviors creates a positive environment in which students can thrive!
Check out Rowell elementary's feature on breakfast this month. Great job Rowell!
Student work highlights breakfast and MyPlate.
"We start our day right with breakfast!"
