For many families, back to school means getting back into a routine.  Waking up earlier, doing homework, and coordinating car pools can be quite the adjustment after the idle days of summer. With all the rushing and organizing, one thing families should be sure to do is eat a healthy breakfast every morning.

Research shows a child’s diet has a positive impact on academic performance. Eating a healthy breakfast is associated with improved cognitive function (especially memory), reduced absenteeism, and improved mood. Not only does a healthy breakfast support a student’s learning, it is also important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental cavities, iron deficiency, and osteoporosis.

But adults and parents need breakfast everyday too! Eating breakfast is a common trait among people who have lost weight and kept it off. Eating a healthful breakfast may help you avoid getting over-hungry and then overeating later in the day.

So what is a healthy breakfast? Given that most U.S. youth do not meet the recommendations for eating 2½ cups to 6½ cups of fruits and vegetables each day, try these healthy breakfast ideas to add more fruits and veggies into your most important meal:

• Add strawberries, blueberries, or bananas to your waffles, pancakes, cereal, oatmeal, or toast
• Add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms or tomatoes to your egg or egg white omelet
• Stir low-fat or fat-free granola into a bowl of low-fat or fat-free yogurt. Top with sliced apples or berries

Want to know more?

More Fruits & Veggies for Breakfast: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/tips/index.html

Nutrition for Healthy Youth: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/facts.htm

Healthy Meals for Schools: http://www.thelunchbox.org/