Why do I need breakfast? I'm not hungry!!!!

[KateTPZ]

Fridai's post about school lunches reminded me of another meal related topic that is a major source of frustration for me right now: breakfast. Once upon a time my boys were good breakfast eaters. Fruit and either cold cereal or a toaster waffle for Chris and fruit with oatmeal or cold cereal for Andrew. Andrew went through a "no breakfast" phase about 2 years ago, but it only lasted a month or two and I got him to at least drink "instant breakfast" during that time. We've never been a big, cooked breakfast (bacon and eggs? pancakes? on a school/work day?!) kind of family.

Now neither of my boys wants to eat breakfast. On our best mornings I can talk them into fruit and yogurt, but if we're averaging 3 school days per week I'd be surprised. They'll tell me, "Mommy - you said we shouldn't eat when we're not hungry, so why do we have to eat breakfast?" I've tried to explain that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, their bodies need it so that their brains will be in top form in school, etc., but they're fighting me every step of the way.

So, what do your school-age kids eat for breakfast? Do they eat breakfast willingly or is it a universal struggle?

[mtbat]

Kate-I know exactly where you are comming from. It is often a battle to get my daughter to eat anything for breakfast and don't even get me started on my stepdaughter-who would live on ham sandwiches(with mayo only) and chicken noodle soup if we let her-.

I demand that my daughter eat at least 1/2 bowl of cereal and I always toss in some fruit-strawberries, blueberries, bananas or whatever is on hand. I offer her a varriety of things besides cereal.

If your kids like pancakes and don't want to eat a whole lot-Krusteaz makes tiny little pancakes that you can heat up in the microwave-they are about the size of a silver dollar and when all else fails I can usually get her to eat 4 of those and a glass of milk.

I try to send fruit to school-right now her 2ed grade teacher lets them have a morning snack-so long as it's healthy( I'm really likeing this teacher). so I know she will eat SOMETHING duriing the day besides lunch.

If nothing else-offer PB&J-it's healthy, its quick and if they will eat it-its brain food!

Fridai

[KateTPZ]

Originally posted by mtbat

If nothing else-offer PB&J-it's healthy, its quick and if they will eat it-its brain food!

Fridai

Does anyone know if there's a point where PB&J consumption can become toxic? That's about all Chris will take for lunch! But you're right - at least it's healthy!

[amykhar]

My kids like the bags of Chex cereal breakfast mix. They also like breakfast bars and anything else that can be eaten on the run.

Maybe your kids just need portable food that they can scarf down on the way to school or in between class when lunch seems so far away.

Amy