Breakfast is a necessary meal for toddlers, yet the majority either skip it or are often rushed to get ready for school when eating.
Toddlers need a healthy breakfast because their brains and bodies are not yet fully developed.
Research shows that kids who do not miss breakfast are likely more energized during the day.
Beyond that, a healthy breakfast ensures that your child refuels their brain after a rejuvenating night of sleep.
Also, it improves their creativity, physical alertness, among several other benefits.
The Essential Nutrients of a Healthy Breakfast
For a nutritious and satisfying breakfast for your toddlers, essential components should constitute the meal.
Here are the significant nutrients to include:
1. Protein
Including a protein source in your little ones’ breakfast keeps them full and satisfied.
Foods like meat, eggs, beans, and fish are examples of proteins that help their bodies develop.
2. Complex Carbohydrates
To fuel their developing muscles and active brain, toddlers require complex carbohydrates.
Foods such as fruits, starchy vegetables (potatoes, peas, and corn), and whole grains are sources of this nutrient.
3. Healthy Fat
Fat is an essential component of a healthy meal for babies as it improves brain development.
Great ways to include fat into your toddler’s breakfast is via avocado, egg yolks, olive oil, and flax seeds.
Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Your Toddlers and Children
Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to include protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your little ones’ meal.
Moreover, preparing healthy meals is an essential step towards establishing a good eating habit for your toddler and your entire family.
A healthy and tasty breakfast does not have to be time-consuming or elaborate.
Giving your toddlers a variety of breakfast meals is the key to a healthy diet. Hence, do not offer the same thing every morning.
Are you looking for ideas to spice up your toddlers’ breakfast routine?
Try these ten simple breakfast options below to help you steer from continually repeating meals.
1. Fruit Roll-Ups
Fruit roll-ups are a great way to ensure that your toddler gets enough fruit, protein, and calcium to start their day.
Spread a thin layer of nut butter on a whole grain tortilla, top with fruit, and roll it up.
If your toddler cannot chew slices of fruit yet, either mash it in a bowl, slice very thin, or use a fruit puree like applesauce.
2. Breakfast Burrito
Burritos are great for breakfast as you can customize them to fit your child’s taste.
Toddlers are encouraged to add vegetables they enjoy to their burrito.
Please encourage your children to stuff their tortillas with vegetables they enjoy and ingredients like eggs, sausage, and fish.
Letting children customize their burritos will pique their interest in eating the breakfast burrito they participated in creating.
3. Avocado Egg Cups
If you are a busy parent during the week, this breakfast option is the perfect on-the-go breakfast to prepare for your toddler.
All you require is an Avocado and eggs. Cut your fruit in halves, create a pit by scooping two tablespoons of flesh from the center.
Crack an egg inside each Avocado pit and bake at 425°F for at least fifteen minutes.
You can include a warm mix of spices like Zucchini that smell so amazing.
While baking, the aroma of this meal will draw your child into the kitchen to ask what you are cooking.
4. Whole Grain Waffles
Waffles are a healthy breakfast for your kids when combined with nutritious ingredients like whole grains, protein, and healthy fats.
The trick to serving this meal as a breakfast on a busy weekday is to prepare it during the weekend and store it in your freezer.
If you prefer opting for the store-bought waffle mix, look out for those with a few grams of fiber, protein, and less than five grams of sugar per serving.
5. Pumpkin-quinoa Porridge
Quinoa is a gluten-free grain, and the addition of pumpkin to this breakfast porridge provides your toddler with vitamin A.
To prepare this quick meal, on reduced heat, boil one-part quinoa with two parts of your child’s favorite milk and cook for ten minutes.
Stir in the pumpkin, spices and cook on low heat for an added five minutes.
When serving your children, top the porridge with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or any preferred topping of choice.
6. Sweet Potato Toast
With the slight sweetness of the potatoes, your child will undoubtedly enjoy this breakfast.
Mash your sweet potatoes with veggies and spread them onto your toast with a sprinkle of cinnamon for an added taste.
To make this breakfast a little further, top your mashed potato spread with nut butter, apple butter, cheese, or any other topping your little one enjoys.
When serving toddlers, cut the toast into smaller portions or cubes for ease of consumption by your toddler.
7. Baked Apples
To prepare this breakfast, core some apples, fill with nut butter, oats, cinnamon, and cook until it is soft and tender that a kid can eat.
For added nutrition, top with extra proteins and serve with milk or your child’s recommended choice of drink.
Finally, for an extra source of protein, serve the baked apples with Greek yogurt.
8. Vegetable Tofu Scramble
Tofu scramble is a high-protein breakfast option for toddlers who do not eat eggs.
To prepare this meal, sauté minced onion in oil, include your mashed, firm tofu alongside your choice of spices and vegetables.
Tasty variations of this breakfast include sautéed spinach, tomatoes, pepper, mushrooms, and carrots.
9. Almond Butter Bars with Chia Seeds
Almond bars are a healthy way for your toddler to start their day as this meal constitutes a large amount of protein and healthy fats.
Depending on your child’s dietary restrictions, these butter bars can be either gluten-free or dairy-free.
10. Healthier Breakfast Cereals
Several times toddlers want a bowl of cereal for breakfast, and luckily there are healthy options to this meal.
The shredded whole wheat, bran flakes, and zero sugar cereal options are more nutritious than the regular breakfast cereals because they contain less sugar.
There a vast number of healthy cereal toppings, so let your child get creative when eating. Examples include fruits, dried raisins, and nuts.
Conclusion
Parenting requires much creativity, and with patience, you are sure to make headway in giving your toddler the nutrients needed for the day.
It is a gradual journey to get your children to eat a nourishing and healthy meal for breakfast.
Remember that the important thing is ensuring your child gets a meal at the start of their day.
