Preschooler Nutrition Tips

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Start your child's day off right - with a healthy breakfast. Although pouring your preschooler a bowl of sugary cereal may be easy, it is not very healthy. Popular kids cereals with a high-glycemic index cause a quick peak in blood sugar, which then drops dramatically, leaving your child hungry again and sluggish. Low-glycemic foods like oatmeal are absorbed more slowly so blood sugar levels stay even and energy lasts longer. Here are some balanced breakfast ideas, each with the right amount of protein and complex carbohydrates.

1. Scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice


2. Plain yogurt, Grape Nuts cereal, fresh fruit mixed in


3. Veggie omelet, bran muffin, milk


4. Whole-grain pancakes or waffles topped with fresh berries, milk


5. Oatmeal sprinkled with cinnamon, milk


6. Whole-grain bagel topped with cream cheese, apple juice


7. French toast topped with strawberries, milk


8. Grilled cheese sandwich using whole-grain bread and low-fat cheese


9. Peanut butter and banana slices on whole-grain bread, milk


10. Fruit smoothie using fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt

If you don't have time to cook a healthy breakfast, keep fresh fruit and low-fat cheese sticks available for your preschooler to eat on the go.