We all know that it’s really important to feed our kids a healthy breakfast to start them off on the right foot and keep them going for the rest of the day. But anyone who’s tried to sit a hyperactive child down and feed them a proper meal will know it might be easier to feed the monkeys at the zoo!
Then of course there’s the time pressure of getting brekkie on the table before school and/or work, and it’s all too easy to see why some mums have just give up altogether! But if you’re looking for new ways to encourage your child to eat breakfast, stay calm and thrive in the classroom, check out these six super quick and easy solutions.
- Banana smoothie
If your child turns up their nose at a whole banana (and I’ve known one or two to do so…), try making it into a delicious smoothie. It’s so quick and easy – simply blend up some Greek yoghurt, a banana, and a dollop or two of peanut butter. The Greek yoghurt and peanut butter will make your smoothie lovely and thick, and give your kid the protein he or she needs for the day. And if you want a bit more flavour, you could try adding berries for a tropical twist!
- Toasty eggs
In my experience, if you want to make toast more appealing to a fussy eater, all you need to do is add a gooey egg. Cut a hole in a slice of crusty bread, butter it, and then put it in a frying pan and place over a medium-high heat. Crack an egg into the hole and cook to perfection. Seriously… my kids LOVE THIS!!! I like to keep breakfast a healthy occasion for my kids, so I buy organic butter with Aussie Farmers Direct.
- English muffins
My kids love muffins! And so does the hubby…. Simply toast an English muffin and add tomato slices and cheese for a hearty, savoury breakfast. Thick and juicy slices of tomatoes will provide your kid with extra nutrients, and you can call the whole thing “breakfast pizza” to win them over! I can whip these up in minutes, and prefer to buy shredded cheese online to save me the hassle of using my cheese grater.
- Breakfast banana pops
If you make breakfast look devilishly sweet and tasty, then your kid is guaranteed to clean their plate. Firstly, you’ll need to cut a banana in half and insert it onto a paddlepop stick. Dip the banana in yoghurt and roll the whole thing in muesli. My children love strawberry yoghurt with banana for a boost of fruity flavour. You can even make these the night before to save you time in the morning.
- Yoghurt parfait
This has to be the easiest kid-friendly breakfast ever, and your child can even have fun making their own! Grab some natural yoghurt and fruit puree and layer both the ingredients in a pretty glass. Top the parfait off with some nutritious muesli or slices of fruit, and voila! Add some Kakadu Pum Powder too for a extra vitamin C boost. They take less than a minute to make and your kid will think they’re eating dessert for breakfast.
- Microwave scrambled eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein and nutrients, and will ensure your kid stays fuller for longer – which is important if they have to wait for recess to eat their next meal. Scrambled eggs are a breakfast favourite, and you can whip them up far more quickly by cooking them in the microwave. If you like a knob of spreadable butter stirred into the eggs, why not buy butter online to make life easy? If you’re not a fan of butter, you can lightly whisk the eggs with low-fat cream or milk. Then microwave on high for 45 seconds, stir, then microwave again until the eggs are almost set. Too easy – and if you make it in a mug, your little one can eat it on the go!
Breakfast can be super easy, nutritious and enjoybale for everyone in the family. The trick to food with kids is to make it fun. Cut some waterlemon into starshapes and the kids think of watermelon in a whole other way! Spiral your carrot and it turns into “long twirly carrot”… get creative.
What are your easy breakfast ideas for the kids?
This post is brought to you by Aussie Farmers Direct
