Family Breakfast
Date: 22 Sep 2022
Shared breakfasts make for healthy bodies and healthy minds
Why it’s important to make breakfast a family meal
We all know that a wholesome breakfast is the best way to start the day, but breakfast is also an important opportunity for families to spend some time together before work, school and other activities. It’s a chance for kids to discuss their plans for the day – and for Moms and Dads to offer advice about projects, homework, sport and even friendships. Turning breakfast into a family meal makes healthy families and healthy bodies.
Reports consistently show that kids who eat breakfast perform better at school because that first meal of the day has an immediate, positive impact on cognitive function. Regular healthy breakfasts have been shown to improve alertness, memory, the ability to concentrate, academic scores, and even social behaviour. From an emotional point of view, using breakfast as a chance to bond as a family doubles its impact.
Over the years, studies have shown that eating meals together may well be the ultimate parenting style. Taking time to genuinely connect over a meal, even for a short time every morning, can improve physical and mental health for all family members.
That’s why this first meal of the day should ideally be an enjoyable family meal in much the same way as dinner should be, says the Marketing Manager of White Star Maize Meal, Mokhele Makhothi.
“Reports show that children from families who eat together demonstrate better food choices and a better quality of diet,” he says. “Also, both adults and children who skip breakfast are more likely to choose unhealthy foods and beverages – and tend to overeat throughout the day. That’s why we support the practice of eating breakfast as part of a healthy and active lifestyle.”
White Star’s annual #SABiggestBreakfast campaign, which was held this September, is just one example of the company’s commitment to the physical, mental and emotional benefits of shared breakfasts. As part of the #SABiggestBreakfast campaign, White Star also supports the Pioneer Foods Schools Breakfast Nutrition Programme. which provides a healthy start to the day for 30 000 disadvantaged children in 35 schools in Western Cape, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo, North West, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Free State.
“There are lifelong benefits to eating a healthy breakfast,” says Makhothi, “which is why this National Breakfast Day and the Breakfast Nutrition Programme is close to our hearts. And the secret, of course, is to make breakfasts fun.”
If you don’t already eat breakfast together as a family, start by having leisurely breakfasts over weekends so that everyone can enjoy the meal and settle into a new routine calmly and easily. Then plan to start having breakfast together on weekdays too – and prepare for the meal the night before to save time in the mornings. Get up a little earlier, so that there are 15 minutes in the family’s morning schedule to fit in the time to eat. And involve children of all ages in the process of buying for, planning and making breakfast too. Above all, make this a special time to connect with your kids before they set off for school.
“Breakfasts at home not only lay the foundation for a lifetime of good health,” says Makhothi, “they can be a fun time together, too – and a source of lifelong memories. There’s good reason to make breakfast a family meal.”