Healthy Morning Meals for Kids
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, especially for kids. A healthy morning meal is said to improve memory and performance in school, all while helping to decrease the chances of obesity in adulthood. Help kids eat healthy—and increase repeat traffic during the breakfast daypart—by menuing better-for-you choices for busy weekday mornings.
More and more parents are turning to away-from-home breakfast options during the week because they’re simply too busy to prepare wholesome meals. You can be parents’ healthy breakfast advocate by serving meals that adhere to nutritional criteria set by Kids LiveWell—a program dedicated to promoting healthy dining for children. To meet the guidelines, a full meal (entrée, side and beverage) must contain 600 calories or fewer, and it must include two or more food groups—fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and/or dairy.
Turkey provides lean protein and pairs well with a huge assortment of other healthy foods, making it a perfect option for better-for-you breakfasts on your kids’ menu. Simply pair a turkey menu item with fresh veggies or fruit as a side, add a nutritious, low-calorie beverage, and you should be well on your way to meeting Kids LiveWell guidelines. For meals that will keep kids and parents coming back for more, try these ideas featuring turkey products:
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- Egg & Red Pepper Hummus Sandwich Thin—This tasty breakfast sandwich is perfectly portable for kids on the go. It features turkey bacon (2 grams of fat per slice), hard-cooked egg, sliced tomato and red pepper hummus on a toasted sandwich thin.
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- Sunrise Flatbread—Featuring both turkey bacon and turkey sausage (less than 6 grams of fat per patty), this protein-packed sandwich will help fuel kids’ bodies and minds through long school days.
- Turkey Pick-Up Sticks—Serve the fun finger foods kids love, in a healthier way. These skewers of peppered turkey breast (only 60 calories per 2 oz. serving) and zucchini make a delicious start to the day. Offer a variety of sauces to appeal to kids’ discerning tastes.
Browse our Culinary Center and E-Z Menu Ideas to find more inspiration for your morning kids’ menu and beyond. Be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter pages often for breakfast tips and trends.
SOURCES
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
http://www.restaurant.org/Industry-Impact/Food-Healthy-Living/Kids-LiveWell-Program
