Jeniffer Jurado, Paediatric Clinical Dietitian at Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha: Breakfast eaters tend to have improved cognitive function related to memory, test grades, and school attendance, according to a clinical dietitian.
Studies show that breakfast eaters tend to have higher school attendance, less tardiness and fewer hunger-induced stomach aches in the morning, said Jeniffer Jurado (pictured), Paediatric Clinical Dietitian at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
“Breakfast is an important meal for growing children. Breakfast as part of a healthful diet and lifestyle can positively impact children’s health and well-being. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, children who have breakfast show overall test scores higher, they concentrate better, solve problems more easily and have better muscle coordination.”
“Parents should be encouraged to provide breakfast for their children. We advocate the consumption of a healthy breakfast on a daily basis consisting of a variety of foods, especially high-fibre and nutrient-rich whole grains, fruits, and dairy products,” Jurado said talking to media persons recently.
Studies also suggest that children who reported eating breakfast on a consistent basis tended to have superior nutritional profiles than their breakfast-skipping peers.
Breakfast eaters generally consumed more daily calories yet were less likely to be overweight, although not all studies associated breakfast skipping with overweight.
“Children who eat breakfast also are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and get enough calcium, too. Kids who eat breakfast are more likely to get fiber, calcium, and other important nutrients. They also tend to keep their weight under control, have lower blood cholesterol levels and fewer absences from school, and make fewer trips to the school nurse with stomach complaints related to hunger,” Jurado said.
She also encouraged schools to integrate nutrition education into the curriculum and recommended the fact that many schools cafeterias have stopped selling soft drinks and unhealthy food. “Children should be taught about nutrition at the young age. Some schools have invited us to talk to their students about nutrition,” said Jurado.
“It is a good move taken by schools to stop selling unhealthy drinks, they should also sell healthy food, so eventually students will adopt healthy eating practices,” she added.
Jurado suggested some easy but nutritious breakfast options for children such as peanut butter spread on whole-grain toast, iron-fortified cereal and milk or fortified non-dairy alternative with banana slices, instant oatmeal topped with fruits, smoothie including milk and yoghurt.
