FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com september 4, 2014 • back to schol • The Queens Courier 47 back to school s s s Breakfast is more than the first meal of the day Most kids don’t want us to remind them that breakfast is the most important meal of the day as they’re running out the door to get to school on time. But they might be interested in hearing that eating a balanced breakfast will make them feel better, inside and out, contributing to better grades, better performance on the field and better nutrition choices throughout their days. A significant percentage of elementary and an even greater percentage of middle and high school students skip breakfast daily or a few times a week. On a given day, up to 30 percent of teens in the U.S. skip breakfast. As they get older, homework, jobs, sports teams, the arts and the Internet result in alltoo short nights for students, and the need to catch a few more moments of sleep in the morning. Breakfast allows students to break the fast of nighttime, reigniting brains and concentration abilities. “It’s everything you’ve heard about in terms of it being a critical meal of the day,” says Sue Moores, a registered dietitian and consultant to schools in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. “Miss or skip breakfast and you start the day playing catch up.” According to Moores, many kids already lack important body-strengthening, body “building” nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, potassium, protein and fiber. Without breakfast, which is a meal that can easily offer all of these, there’s extra pressure to fill the nutritional gaps with snacks and other meals. Including carbohydrates in the morning meal (whole-grain carbs, says Moores) is key, as carbs are the preferred source of energy for the brain. Add in a bit of protein to help distribute the energy carbohydrates offer, and you have the start of a great meal. Skipping breakfast may not only put students behind the eight-ball for morning nutrition, adds Moores, it may also set them back by way of poor food choices for the rest of the day. Some studies show breakfastskippers actually crave salty, higher fat, sweet foods throughout the day compared to people who eat a morning meal. What they eat in place of breakfast is far from nutritious fare. Beginning this school year, school breakfasts are required to meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s new food-based meal pattern, which outlines increased amounts of fruits/vegetables, grains and milk food components. Companies have stepped up to the plate, delivering whole grain and protein-rich options that, when paired with a calcium-rich, low-fat milk, provide a solid start to the day. Schwan’s Food Service offers the new Beacon Street Cafe (TM) 51 percent whole grain Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sliders this fall, with 8 grams of protein, 11 grams of whole grains, 0 grams of trans fat and only 160 calories per serving (two pieces). “Whether students catch a brain-boosting breakfast at home or at school, it’s important to find a way to fit nutrient-rich foods in for a good day of learning,” says Moores. “It may seem inconsequential to skip a morning meal, but results in the classroom show that breakfast is key.” Courtesy BPT “Empowering E hedral Cath 350 3 East 56th S Com Young Wome l High Street ~ New Y me and exp TA # ACHS 202 Vis en Through E Education ce 1905” ol Schoo York, NY 100 plore all tha sit our w Sinc 022 ~ 212-688- at Cathedra OPEN Sunday, -1545 al has to off N HOU October 19 1 12 – 3 PM will be given at 2 Last tour w website at Accredited by USE 9, 2014 2:30 PM t www.ca the Middle State ffer you! athedralh es Association of hs.org of Colleges & Sc hools START YOUR NEW CAREER TODAY IN ONLY A FEW WEEKS! At Elite Education and Training Services, we offer: • EKG Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Medical Billing + Coding, CPR, Child Abuse, Infection Control, MAT Training and more! • Weekday and weekend classes available. Online courses offered as well. • Elite offers unparalleled training for many professions. • On-going registration. ***Workforce 1 vouchers accepted*** **Licensed instructors welcome to apply** Location: Roy Wilkins Family Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd, Jamaica, NY Phone: (718) 600-0552 | Website: eetsonline.com
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