Here we go… I’m entering yet another new parenting stage. How does it happen so quickly, one day I’m helping my kids get dressed in the mornings and the next, they are setting their own alarms.  In a blink of an eye, life’s changing! This new stage of parenting comes with a new struggle about eating breakfast! Here’s how it goes down in my house…

“Did you eat breakfast?” I ask as I head to the kitchen. Some days the answer is a resounding “not hungry” as the morning rush swirls around me. I think to myself “Really”? I’ve always been one of those people who NEEDS to eat regularly, I cannot skip meals. You know my type… the dip in blood sugar transforms me into Mr. Hyde. So I don’t relate… I always eat breakfast.

So why do teens stop eating the most important meal of the day. And it’s not just my teen, the Halton Youth Survey indicates that only about 53% of teens eat breakfast. Wow, nearly half of them skip it. Whether it is the lack of hunger or lack of time, there are things you can do to help your teen:

• Talk to them. Let them know you expect that they eat breakfast.
• Explain the benefits. Did you know teens who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom, have better concentration, problem-solving skills, and eye-hand coordination?
• Encourage them to wake up earlier so there is time to eat. Hint: It helps if you role model this!
• Make breakfast family time.
• Have favourite foods on hand. Include your teen in prepping, cooking and shopping for breakfast items.
• Keep breakfast simple on busy days. Yogurt, fruit salad, fruit (apple/banana), muffins, smoothies, breakfast bars, bag of dry cereal and a juice box
• Plan ahead & pack breakfast the night before to eat in the car or bus. Busy teens can grab a banana, a bag of trail mix and a carton of milk.
• Check out the breakfast options available at your teen’s school

We’ve had the talk in my house. The “breakfast” talk that is. And staples in my home are sure to include a variety of fruit and yogurt.  What about you? Share your thoughts and tips.

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