Food to kick start kids' day

WITH the holiday season upon us , maintaining a nutritious breakfast for children can be daunting.

Studies show that the breakdown of routine that occurs during the holidays can have a negative impact on children's nutrition.

Sowetan asked Sue Cloran, a Kellogg's nutritionist, to answer parents' concerns about breakfast during holidays.

What is the right time to eat breakfast when they are at home?

Cloran says there is no "right" or "wrong" time, but what's important is that breakfast is in fact eaten.

"Children should not skip any meals, let alone breakfast. For parents to achieve this, it is essential to make breakfast a routine for children as part of their healthy habits. Usually, children get hungry soon after they wake up and it is then that they should be encouraged to eat. Holidays are perfect for children to eat cereal," she says.

Children enjoy snacking with cereals. What effect can this have on their health?

While breakfast cereals are a balanced helping , with carbohydrates, protein (from milk), a small amount of fat, vitamins and minerals, no food provides all of the nutrients that we need in a day, Cloran says.

"For this reason, the first guideline of the South African Department of Health reads: "Eat a variety of foods," she says.

There is no particular danger in children eating breakfast cereals more than once a day, but a parent needs to watch out for portion size control and must ensure that other foods, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, are also enjoyed," Cloran says.

Is it safe for children to drink low-fat milk?

Absolutely. Children do need a certain amount of fat in their diets and in general need nutrient-dense foods in order to meet their energy requirements in a smaller volume of food. For this reason, dietitians would recommend full cream or full-fat milk, but low-fat milk is not harmful in any way.