My daughter is starting middle school in the summer. I drive her to school and this means we have to be out of the house an hour earlier than we’re used to. I’m already thinking about breakfast and what I can have on hand to make sure she has something healthy to eat even when we’re rushing around.
Here are some ideas for quick, on-the-go breakfasts.
Make breakfast bags.
Set up an assembly line on Sunday afternoon to make five breakfast bags for each child. Good fillers include fruit, hard boiled eggs, string cheese, dry cereal, granola bars and trail mix. Include a few different items to make a complete breakfast. Your child can eat it on the way to school. I also tuck a few extra granola bars in my daughter’s backpack for mornings when we run out of time and she forgets to grab breakfast to go.
Have it already on the table.
Put out cereal, bananas, bowls, and spoons the night before. Make sure the milk carton is at the front of the fridge. Instruct children to pour themselves some cereal and eat as soon as they get up. I’m unable to eat right when I wake up, but my daughter doesn’t usually have a problem with it.
Put your freezer to work.
Make extra servings when you prepare breakfast on the weekends. Store individually wrapped single servings in the freezer. You or your child can simply eat one in the microwave before school each morning. Simple breakfasts include sandwiches of ham and egg on English muffins or sausage links wrapped in a pancake. I plan on making a dozen breakfast sandwiches before school starts to store in the freezer.
Rely on an old standard – PBJ!
Peanut butter and jelly is a filling, healthy, kid-friendly and fat breakfast! Up the nutrition value by using low sugar jam and whole grain bread. Add a piece of fruit and a glass of milk to round out the meal. My daughter loves a peanut butter and a banana rolled in a tortilla.
Let them eat breakfast at school.
Most schools serve breakfast in the cafeteria for under $2 a meal. If ensuring your children get breakfast adds an extra layer of chaos to your morning, make sure they get to school early enough to eat there instead. This option often saves time and money! My daughter’s school allows parents to see what their child purchases online, so I know if she’s really eating breakfast or just pocketing the money to buy ice cream at lunch.
With a little planning, you can be sure your child has a healthy breakfast no matter how rushed you are.
