Back to School Basics: Break the Fast and Fuel for the Classroom

This September, we’ll be offering a three-part series on back-to-school basics for healthier eating. We’ve broken it down into areas that parents struggle with when starting a new school year: breakfast, lunchbox and snack ideas, and easy weeknight dinners. We’ll provide you with recipes, shopping lists and tips on kids’ nutrition. Up first, breakfast ideas fit for a classroom champion.

Did you know that students who eat breakfast show improved school performance and have a healthier body weight? Breakfast supplies kids with key nutrients like calcium, iron, B vitamins, and vitamin D. When kids skip breakfast, cognitive tasks such as thinking and learning can be negatively affected. Get ready to fuel your kids for school with these easy tips and ideas including our healthy breakfast shopping list below designed to help you stock up on items to create quick and easy breakfasts for busy school mornings.

Healthy Breakfast Shopping List
-Whole-grain cereal (hot or cold)
-Fruit (fresh, frozen, dried or 100% fruit juice)
-Whole-grain frozen waffles
-Canned fruit (packed in juice)
-Whole-grain granola bars
-Nuts (almonds, walnuts or peanuts)
-100% whole-wheat bread, muffins, or bagels (regular, mini or thin)
-Milk (low-fat or fat-free)
-Yogurt (low-fat or fat-free)
-Nut butter (peanut, almond or sunflower)
-Cheese (low-fat)
-Whole-grain pita pockets -Eggs and egg whites

Grab-N-Go Breakfast Ideas
These are perfect for mornings when you are short on time
· Whole-grain granola bar, fresh fruit like an apple or a banana and a container of low-fat milk (try Horizon individual 8 oz container of low-fat milk)
· Whole-grain mini bagel with 2 tbsp peanut butter and sliced banana
· Whole-grain frozen waffle, toasted, and topped with 2 tbsp almond butter
· Low-fat yogurt with fresh berries and whole-grain cereal

Minimal Preparation Breakfast Ideas
Try these delicious, nutrient packed breakfast ideas on mornings when you have a little more time. They require minimal preparation and can be ready in a flash.
· Combine 1 egg and 1 egg white in a microwavable safe bowl. Add 1 tbsp of milk. Microwave for 30 seconds, then transfer cooked egg onto a 100% whole-wheat English muffin. Top with shredded low-fat cheese and sliced tomato.
· Fill a whole-wheat pita with low-fat cottage cheese. Add in fresh fruit like pineapple or peaches and then drizzle with a small amount of honey.
· Add hot water to a plain instant oatmeal packet. Try ShopRite Organic original. Mix in raisins, slivered almonds, and cinnamon applesauce for sweetness. For an extra calcium boost, use milk instead of water.

Stay tuned for our Back to School Basics: Better Brown Bag Lunches