Breakfast = Energy for Learning!

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Submitted by Guest Blogger:  Beth Bruck-Upton, MA, RD with the Midwest Dairy Association

It is time to celebrate National School Breakfast week March 7-11, 2011!  National School Breakfast Week was launched in 1989 by the School Nutrition Association (SNA) to raise awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program to all children.

In order for children to be alert, focused and ready to tackle the day’s academic challenges, they need to eat breakfast. Not just on test days, but every day of the year. It’s well-documented that breakfast eaters are healthier and more energetic throughout the day.

National studies consistently confirm that breakfast provides fuel for school and boosts brain power. Eating breakfast:

  • Improves classroom performance, including better test scores and grades.
  • Increases children’s ability to focus and concentrate on school work.
  • Decreases behavior problems, tardiness and visits to the school nurse.
  • Increases attendance rate.

Just as important, when students routinely start their day with breakfast, chances are good that it will become a habit that carries into their teenage and adult years.

Is your local school enrolled in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program?  If not, get them signed up today.  Through Fuel Up to Play 60 students and schools can earn funding to help them expand healthy breakfast options at school, or even enjoy breakfast in the classroom! Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

These Fuel Up to Play 60 Healthy Eating Plays are designed to help make breakfast foods available outside the cafeteria. Each link below will bring you to the interactive playbook on the Fuel Up to Play website and includes activation tips and ideas students can use to promote and expand breakfast at their school.

For tasty recipe ideas, visit the Midwest Dairy Council website at www.midwestdairy.com and click on recipes.  Take the boredom out of breakfast and start enjoying today!

 

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