Why School Breakfast?
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day for kids, as it provides the necessary energy to get set for a day of learning and achievement.
Eating a nutritious breakfast at school can give children an extra edge. For example:
HIGHER ACADEMIC SCORES - Studies have shown eating breakfast at school results in higher test scores. (1)
IMPROVED BEHAVIOR - Hungry children are more likely to have discipline problems. Teens are less likely to be suspended from school (2)
REDUCE TARDINESS AND ABSENTEEISM - Kids who participate in the SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM are late or absent from school less often (2)
(1) www.schoolnutrition.org
(2) "School Breakfast Scorecard 2008", Food Research and Action Center, www.frac.org
SCHOOL BREAKFAST NUTRITION
School breakfast must meet nutrition guidelines that limit their percentage of fat and ensure the meal provides at least 25% of the recommended allowance of protein, calcium, iron and Vitamins A & C.
READY - SET - GO
NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK
MARCH 8 - 12, 2010
WHAT MAKES A HEALTHY BREAKFAST?
To make a healthy breakfast each day, choose one item from each of the following four groups"
*FRUITS & VEGETABLES - Fresh fruits and vegetables, 100 percent juice without added sugar
*GRAINS - Whole-grain rolls, bagels. hot or cold whole grain cereals, low-fat bran muffins, crackers or melba toast
*MILK - Skim or low fat milk
*PROTEIN - Hard boiled eggs, peanut butter, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheeses, or lean slices of meat, poultry or fish
WEEK