It’s true what they say - breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Experts from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics maintain that kids who start their day off with a hearty breakfast have better concentration, better hand-eye coordination and have better problem-solving skills.

So, with this in mind, Toughees, South Africa’s best-loved school shoe, has got a couple of handy breakfast tips to get your little ones off to the right start.

Tip #1 – Prep, Prep, Prep
Most moms are really pressed for time in the mornings. Why not ease the pressure by prepping your kids’ breakfasts and school lunches the night before? You might not feel like it after a hectic day, but it will go quickly once you get into the habit. Just think of all the extra time you will have to do other important things, like helping Johnny find his school shoes. 

Tip #2 – Get Balanced
If you’re stuck on how to feed your kids a nutritious breakfast, always remember the Healthy Eating Plate. It’s an American guideline on what ideal portion sizes should look like on a plate, and is a great tool to help you get into the habit of serving balanced and healthy meals to your family.

Tip #3 - Be Aware of Processed Foods

Processed foods, like white bread, maize meal, cereals, and other grab-and-go foods, are usually full of sugar and other artificial preservatives, flavourants, and colourants that aren’t good for growing bodies. Rather consider these as a treat, instead of staple, and you’ll watch your little people thrive.

Tip #4 - Get Them Involved
There are several benefits that come from getting your kids involved with cooking at breakfast time. These include increasing the likelihood that they will experiment with new flavours and textures, as well as helping them to understand nutrition better. The more involved your kids are in the preparation process, the more you can engage with them about their own health and bodies. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to do some family bonding, even if it’s just for a few minutes in the morning.

So - what are you going to feed your kids for breakfast tomorrow?