Is fruit a good breakfast for children???????

Question

Ok my 2 children are 17 months and 3 years old, most mornings we are always in a rush, so is it safe to give them a banana or an apple for their breakfast? As breakfast is the most important meal of the day i dont want to be giving them fruit if this is not going to be enough, it does seem the most healthiest and quickest option. Any advice would be grateful.

Thanks in advance

thanks for all the advise here guys.
I just wanted to add that they always have milk in the morning! My 17 month will scream the house down if she dont get her milk! and my 3 year old likes a nice cuppa with mummy (no added sugar)

Answer 1

I always seem to be in a rush in the mornings as well - and breakfast is always something that I keep going "are you finished yet?", "Jenny, are you eating your breakfast" and other general stuff like that whilst trying to get bags packed, sorted for work, teeth brushed, uniforms on and stuff like that!!

Many a time I have packed them in the car with fruit of some sort!! Dont beat yourself up over it, t happens - but yes - by the time your kids get up they will have been about 10 - 12 hours at least with no food - so it is important. I often let mine have a yogurt (quick to eat and milk based!) and also bung some toast in the toaster and wrap it round a banana! That works really well - and OK - eating it in the car on the way to the childminders/school whatever is maybe not the best - but it sure as hell beats a bowl of coco pops in my eyes!!! Thats full of shite! A yogurt, and banana wrapped in granary bread - or that Best of Both bread has got to be healthier!!

Answer 2

It depends on what time they eat again. If they're going to eat again in an hour or two, then a piece of fruit is fine. If it is going to be more than 2 hours, then they need a larger breakfast.

In addition to fruit, pop a couple of pieces of bread into the toaster (wheat is best, so you can start healthy habits early). The carbs will sustain them for at least an hour, and if you slather a bit of peanut butter on there, the protein in the peanut butter will get them to lunch.

The 17 month old would probably be fine on a piece of fruit and a bite or two of bread, but your 3-year-old needs more than just fruit. I understand being rushed, so try making stuff at night and just warming it up in the morning.

Or solve the problem by going to bed earlier and getting up earlier.

I hope this helps, and I'm glad you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! (Oh, and studies show that people who eat breakfast are more likely to be thinner)

Answer 3

Although fruit is great for kids, it isnt a great subtitute for a proper breakfast in the morning. The best thing is some cereal or porridge of their choice with warm milk especially with these winter months coming up, it will really keep them going and it is good fuel.
I know it is not always easy to have to get yourself and children ready in the mornings but try to allow yourself time to have breakfast in the morning because it will stand you well for the rest of the day. It is also important to make sure that YOU have breakfast in the mornings when you have the kids to run around after. Maybe trying to get up a little earlier would help

Hope you work something out
Good luck

Answer 4

I understand how you feel I have had the same issue. There was a time when I was at work before they even got up in the morning. So my mom (she drives them to school for me) she would give them cereal. I felt really bad after a few weeks. So what I do now is I make the their breakfast the night before (thank god for Tupperware) so that all they have to do in the morning is pop it in the microwave and eat. I know that your children are younger than mine I have a 14 yr old and a 12 yr old but if you make it the night before, they can eat while to get ready in morning. I liked the idea of my kids getting off to school with a healthy hot meal in the morning. This way you can choose exactly what their gonna eat without rushing.
Try yougurt and fruit for those really quick meals. Or dry cherrios and fruit in a zip lock and milk in a sippy cup.

Answer 5

depends when they will next get a snack and what that snack consists of. The fruit is good, obviously, but not on its own. It is not enough for the 3 yr old most def. Can you add in yoghurt? maybe a drinking yoghurt - that wont encroach on your time too much. Or toast? Try to go for banana rather than apple too as they need something which will break down slowly and release energy throughout the morning.

I have 4 young children and I agree mornings are hectic and pressurised. I still manage to offer cereals, yoghurts, toast, poached or boiled eggs etc (not all on the same day!!) and fruit. Its not that hard once you get organised and I know that I am giving them a good start to the day.

Answer 6

Not only fruit give them at least something else like a bag of cereal or something. If you don't feed your kids a good breakfast then they will get fat because it jump starts you metabolism for the day. You could also wake them up earlier so they will have more time in the morning to eat breakfast.

Answer 7

Can you give them a piece of whole grain toast with their fruit, so they would be getting a grain product? Or fruit yogurt and toast, since it is a dairy product as well.

There are very many easy breakfasts that would be nutritious and satisfying for any child. You have to just take a little care with making sure that the ingredients are on hand the night before.

Answer 8

I didn't have time to read the other answers but fruit is a good option. Also, if you can spare just about 5 minutes, flavored oatmeals, or a healthy cereal (Cheerios or something not loaded with sugar) with milk can go great with the fruit!

Answer 9

It's best to get some carbs in you first thing so cereal's a must. Porridge takes 2 minutes to make and you could stick the fruit in there. Even I, the worst person in the world first thing in the morning, can manage to do that! And we're up and out of the house in 45 minutes :-)

Answer 10

Sorry to say - no it is not. They need more than that - something with carbohydrates but but but not very refined - eg cereals like weetabix and similar which are slow releasing with low glyceamic index - meaning that they will be full and not hyper on sugar which is not helpful nor healthy. Mix it with some fruit yoghurt and some fresh fruit as well - it is quick and healthy
good luck