Why can’t we get the breakfast basics right?

Experts worldwide agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, for children and adults alike, however local studies show that almost 20% of our learners go to school without eating breakfast.

Breakfast not only is critical for a child because it helps them do better in school by improving their memory, mood, psycho-social function, test grades and school attendance, children who eat breakfast regularly are also less likely to be overweight, which is a ‘huge’ problem for South Africans today.

14% of South African children aged 6 to 14 years are overweight; 50% of our children are not eating enough fruit and vegetables; and 30% of our children are not participating in enough physical activity. According to the 2016 Global Nutrition report, SA is ranked 70^th of 132 countries for the prevalence of stunting (low height-for-age).

With the nutrition status of South African children so poor, can we make a connection between breakfast skipping and the low health status of our children?

The 2010 Health Behaviour in School Children report, carried out on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that: “breakfast contributes to the quality and quantity of a person’s daily dietary intake, and breakfast-skipping has been linked to inadequate dietary nutrition”.

Picture: iStock

Simply put: miss breakfast and miss out on vital nutrients for the day. By skipping breakfast one increases the risk for weight issues and morning performance will decrease, along with the capacity to take advantage of learning opportunities provided by schools and families. Making a morning meal part of the daily routine is an important step in taking control of the child’s wellness, and the whole family’s health.

Mrs Lopes, principal of IR Grifffith Primary School in Randburg, Johannesburg, sees the impact of breakfast skipping every day. “I can spot straight away who’s awake and alert and who’s tired and distracted. And in my experience, one of the biggest factors that determines success in the classroom is so simple and so often overlooked: having breakfast. Make it a habit – have breakfast every morning.”

As a school principal and former teacher from many different schools and areas, she sees breakfast skipping across socio-economic lines. “Some children may skip breakfast because they don’t have food at home, others because their parents don’t eat breakfast, or they run out of time, can’t feed themselves, or they simply aren’t hungry. But let me be clear when I say breakfast skipping stops ALL children learning. And this has a knock-on effect for their future career prospects, and therefore earning potential,” says Lopes.

Picture: Shutterstock

Marlinie Kotiah, Science Manager, Danone Southern Africa agrees that breakfast is a crucial meal that needs to be prioritised, especially for children. “At a time when healthy behaviour and lifestyle has never been so important – with non-communicable diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at an all-time high – a small investment in working to encourage breakfast consumption could be one of the smartest decisions we can make.”

“With the new school year forging ahead, a new generation of learners have embarked on their journey to matriculation and — hopefully — beyond. It is a time of hope and optimism, and armed with reliable information, we can begin to look for solutions and ultimately build environments that nourish both our children’s bodies and their future prospects,” says Kotiah.

A new SA campaign called ‘1 Million Moms Pledge for Healthy Change’ is centred on simple solutions to help moms achieve better nutrition for their families. The Pledge can be found at @KnowYourYoghurt Facebook page and involves five simple but effective actions for moms to commit to:

1. Eat more fruit and vegetables every day
2. Have milk, maas or yoghurt every day
3. Eat breakfast every day
4. Drink more water every day
5. Move more every day

Picture: iStock

“Once moms have signed the Pledge, they will be supported with new tips, recipe ideas and the opportunity for moms to talk to moms and to also ask nutrition experts through live chats for advice. Follow #LiveBetterTogether to join in the conversation,” concludes Kotiah.

Brilliant breakfast foods and their benefits

• Yoghurt: An easy breakfast food, yoghurt provides calcium for growing bodies, and good gut bacteria to keep young tummies working. Paired with cereal and a fruit, or blended up in a smoothie, it’s a perfect breakfast option.

• Eggs: A protein powerhouse, eggs are great for growing children, ensuring healthy eyesight and boosting brain development as they’re rich in omegas.

• Bananas: Packed with potassium, bananas are a super source of energy and good for preventing constipation.

• Porridge and cereal: Usually fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, eating this breakfast food with milk or yoghurt will provide additional calcium for growing bones.

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