How many of you COOK breakfast for your kids?

Holly - posted on 10/29/2011

I cook for my kids everyday ! I belive that they learn so much better , if they have eaten breakfast and itsnot just cereral its eggs on whole wheat muffin with sausage with cheese , they love it or scrambled eggs , toast with fresh fruit ! I thk it is totaly up too

Holly - posted on 10/29/2011

I cook for my kids everyday ! I belive that they learn so much better , if they have eaten breakfast and itsnot just cereral its eggs on whole wheat muffin with sausage with cheese , they love it or scrambled eggs , toast with fresh fruit ! I thk it is totaly up too

Shelley - posted on 05/30/2011

I have just learnt how do cook meilie meal porridge in the micro. 1 cup meilie meal, 4 cups water, 1t salt, for 6 mins, stirring with a whisk about 3 times. this feeds about 4 people. You can add a teaspoon of butter and milk and sugar. Other interesting things to add can vary between vanilla essence, syrup, condensed milk, honey, cinnamon, milo, coco, anything else you like. It is very filling and cheap.

I also make oats porridge but the quantities are 1C oate and 2Cups water with a pinch of salt. You can add the same ingredients as above.

Sapphire - posted on 10/10/2010

This thread inspired me to pull out the waffle iron this morning! It is Sunday, so it's a lazy morning. My son & I had waffles with fruit. Milk for him, coffee for me. I had enough batter left over for a half of a waffle, so I cooked it up and stuck it in the freezer. He'll eat it on the way to school tomorrow.

Johnny - posted on 10/09/2010

Well, my daughter is not in school yet, and when I'm at work 3 days a week her grandpa looks after her. So when I'm home, I usually cook a hot meal, whole wheat pancakes, an omelet, french toast, for 1 or two days (usually the weekends) and the other days she just gets yoghurt, fresh fruit, healthy cereals, toast or oatmeal. I actually think that sometimes, it is actually the uncooked meals that are the healthier ones. Although, she needs more fats in her diet, so a good omelet now and again helps out. When she's at Grandpa's he cooks her a hot breakfast one day, one day of his homemade grain porridge and one day of healthy cereal. We aren't a junk food, processed foods family. Neither my husband or I were raised with that, and it's just not what we do. Once a month, for a treat for me, I cook packaged mac & cheese because I like it and she does too, but that's it. Hopefully when she starts full-time daycare, we'll be able to continue to feed her a wholesome breakfast every morning. Although, if the traffic on my commute gets much worse, it's going to be pop tarts for this family too, lol.

Charlie - posted on 10/09/2010

Angela said :

Cooked isn't necessarily healthier though. My children don't get any sugar, they like fruit, yogurt, cereal, toast. I ensure none of these are rubbish. My eldest son likes a punnet of cherry tomatoes (?) all of which are very, very good for him.



I agree with this , i also agree that sausages are high in fat and sodium of course these foods are great in moderation but if you would like to caculate just how much meat , cereals , dairy and sweets your child SHOULD BE CONSUMING use this site to work it out for your child according to age , weight and activity , it could be the best thing you do for their health EVER.

http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index...

Dawn - posted on 10/09/2010

Well, since my little guy is only 19 months and I stay home, I cook breakfast most mornings, mainly eggs or peanut butter toast, sometimes pancakes or french toast on weekends. I can't wait for the day he will eat oatmeal so I can make the real stuff in the crockpot overnight...and Cream of Wheat (he refuses anything that requires a spoon!). Growing up I loved breakfast until high school, probrably because school started so early! I would just drink a chocolate milk on the way to school, eat my brown bag lunch in my 2nd class and then buy something else during the regular lunch hour!! This is what started my very bad adult habit of drinking many cups of coffee throughout the morning and then barely making it to a lunch break at 11:00 am!! Since my pregnancy and now that I have a toddler, I have gotten much better at eating breakfast regularly. I believe something in the stomach (unless it is complete junk) is better than nothing. And yes, IMO donuts and pop-tarts are junk but I do think they have their place as the occasional morning treat (though better if served with some fruit on the side).

Donna - posted on 10/09/2010

I am a pop-tart mom.

Sapphire - posted on 10/09/2010

Wow....ya mean you're supposed to cook your kid breakfast?! Lol!
I'm out the door at 6:00-6:15 am. Hubby is the one to deal with breakfast and he is out the door between 7:-7:15 am. Sadly, he does 'Meals on Wheels' here, which is our version of eating breakfast in the car on the way to school. But that doesn't mean my son gets crap either. He does like dry cereal (not the sugar crap) and eats that out of a plastic bowl, washed down with orange juice or carton of milk. He can eat a banana in the car, or a granola bar. GoGurts are sugared up, but it's a car-friendly food. American cheese or frozen waffles can also be eaten in the car. It might not be the ideal scenario, but my kid never goes hungry.

Mary - posted on 10/09/2010

That is awesome that your kids will eat in the morning. My kids are not breakfast eaters. I know, I know, breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day but I have tried and it ends up in the trash. My two oldest eat lunch at about 10:00 a.m. while they are in school ... my youngest will eat but very lightly.

Jenn - posted on 10/09/2010

Oh - and of course oatmeal!! I remember my Mum used to say "it sticks to your ribs" LOL! I didn't quite know what she meant, but because it is higher in fibre it keeps you feeling full longer. Also, we are lucky here with the way the schools are now that the kids don't have to wait so long to eat - they do 2 nutritional breaks during the day instead of just 1 big lunch.

Jenn - posted on 10/09/2010

Our normal breakfast foods here are: a wide variety of healthy cereals like corn flakes, cheerios, raisin bran, shreddies, etc., eggs and toast, bagels, pancakes from scratch, and french toast.

Angela - posted on 10/09/2010

Cooked isn't necessarily healthier though. My children don't get any sugar, they like fruit, yogurt, cereal, toast. I ensure none of these are rubbish. My eldest son likes a punnet of cherry tomatoes (?) all of which are very, very good for him.

Sandy - posted on 10/09/2010

I cook, too. I have to admit, when you send your child to school, you want to make sure they have had a healthy breakfast. My child doesn't eat his lunch until 12:50 pm.!!!

Angela - posted on 10/08/2010

I must admit, I don't. My sons either get toast or a non sugary cereal. I certainly wouldn't give them sugar or chocolate, I tend to cook for their other meals because I am at home all day, but in the morning, we are rushed!

Leanne - posted on 10/08/2010

Yes I made my kids breakfast every morning when they were little now they are teenagers I am going thru the " I am not hungry in the morning" fight lol I am up and gone for work before they get up now but on weekends I make brunch and thye still enjoy that. But yes when they were little my kids had porridge, french toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs and toast etc before school. For the moms that say they dont have the time, maybe try to get up 20 mins earlier it will make all the difference. You can scramble eggs and make toast in that amount of time. Lack of sleep is normal for a mom lol

Galit - posted on 10/08/2010

I agree with you. I do both convenience meals (oat meal, cream of wheat or cereal) some days with real breakfasts other days. I agree with you about those sugary breakfasts, not a great idea at all. I always offer some fruit. Do what you know is best and forget the rest. Everyone has their own way. It sounds like you are definitely on the right track. Oh, and how can you spoil your kids with a healthy start to their day? I say, then spoil me rotten!

Jocelyn - posted on 10/08/2010

I've gotta admit, I've not much talent on the domesticated cooking front. I normally give my kids (they are 4yrs and 1 yr) cereal with milk, a trail mix granola bar, yogurt, apples, and on occasion toast. I do actually make waffles or pancakes a couple times a month, but not too often.

Joy - posted on 10/08/2010

Everything in moderation. My son eats sausage and bacon but MAYBE only once a month...less even. I don't think him having sausage that rarely is gonna make him fat. It never fails to surprise me how a seemingly innocent question such as "How many of you cook breakfast for your kids?" can get turned into a conversation about how fat we Americans are. This was a great opportunity to get breakfast ideas for some who may not cook but may want to but don't know how. Or for people like me who are always looking for ideas. Not all of us in the States are blubbering whales who do the drive thru at McDonalds 5 times a week and drink pancake syrup for breakfast. Not ALL of us. (said with all due sarcasm)

Jodi - posted on 10/08/2010

Sammy, I don't know where you live, but America is not the "fat nation". It is actually a problem in many western countries, and in fact, recent indications have shown that Australia is fast becoming one of the most obese nations in the world, which I find horrifying. Your comment WAS uncalled for.



I do, however, agree on the sausages comment. Not to mention the amount of saturated fat.......

Sherri - posted on 10/08/2010

That wasn't called for Sammy!!

Sammy - posted on 10/08/2010

sorry to intrude... but how r sausages healthy?! they're LOADED with salt, and all the nasty bits of meat you cant use for anything else other than economy mince. YUCK. my son has had them TWICE in his whole life.. he is two, and i do not intend to change it! isnt it funny how different countries think different things r healthy? well we all know that america is the fat nation, enough said!

Kathleen - posted on 10/08/2010

One thing you can do, is make egg sandwiches ahead, freeze them indiviually, and they can warm them up in the morning. Oatmeal is a very healthy breakfast. Especially if you use regular vs. sugary ones. But in that case, you can mix a flavor with a regular to cut the sugar in half. And it is just as good.:)

Kathleen - posted on 10/08/2010

Hmmmm. I don't want to sound rude, but giving kids donuts and cinnamon rolls as breakfast is sooo bad to ME. Tons of empty calories, sugar and fat. All that sugar will make them feel more tired and sluggish during the day. Even having whole grain waffles and apples in the moring is great! The higher the fiber, the healthier and more filling it is. I think cooking breakfast is a great way to bond, and to teach them that an extra 15 minutes in the morning can result in a great day!! I say go to bed 20 minutes early, get up 20 minutes early, and enjoy a great breakfast with your wonderful family!!

Abo - posted on 10/08/2010

Healthy meals are the way to go especially for little people - good foundation for adult eating habits and good health.
I can definitely say that having a child has made me more health conscious than ever!

Rebecca - posted on 10/07/2010

I have to admit I am not a fan of cooking for breakfast but I agree it is the most important meal of the day. If your friend has issues with cooking in the mornings tell her to cook up a significant amount on Sunday and either freeze it in 5 different days and take it out the night before to be ready the next morning. I have to agree that you are doing the correct thing for your children. They will be healthier adults later in life. The things you do now wlll set the stage for the rest of their lives. Generations before us did what you are doing and most of them live to be alot older due to their habits when they were young. No one can tell you that you are doing wrong. YOU are the parent and it is a decision that you have to make that you are comfortable with.

Lorraine - posted on 10/07/2010

I work midnights and to be honest i am not even up when my kids get up for school. I wish i could do that for them as the lunch they pack sometimes is not what I would pack. I think you are the best for doing that. My friend does it every morning for her son and she loves doing it. If you have the time and stuff kudos to you. I wish i did. i dont think your spoiling them you are loving them and that is what is important. You keep it going as long as you can. I envy the fact that you are able to do that.

Jodi - posted on 10/07/2010

Tisha, my post wasn't necessarily aimed at you :) There were some comments from people about convenience foods, cold breakfasts, how cooked breakfasts mean you care for your kids, and so on. I wanted to point out that this was not accurate.

Personally, I think it's really none of your friend's business. I certainly wouldn't say you were spoiling them.

Tisha - posted on 10/07/2010

@ Pauline. No one said that you are lazy or ignorant. There is no right or wrong answer here. Don't get so offended.

Tisha - posted on 10/07/2010

@JODI A. My child has been placed on a high protein diet by her physcian, not by my choice. I am aware that in normal situations eating lots of meat is unhealthy. I cook the meat sparingly and I go for healthier versions such as turkey bacon and lean ham over the usual pork bacon. I'm also not saying that convienent foods such as fresh fruit and yogurt and whole grain toast, etc. are bad. I was referring more to pop tarts and sugar cerals. We also don't eat much meat at other times of the day. And we don't do meat and eggs everyday. They have oatmeal and grits on some days and pancakes and such on the weekends. I never said that I was doing BETTER by cooking breakfast. I was just trying to understand why someone would think that cooking breakfast for your children rather than giving JUNK is spoiling your child.

Channing - posted on 10/07/2010

I agree with "spoiling" is the opposite of "nourishing" when it comes to food and nutrition. Cooking breakfast for your children is an amazing way to set them up for a lifetime of understanding that processed, convenience foods are the cheap, lazy way to take care of your health. You are teaching them to appreciate home cooking, which they will adopt into their own parenting later on. Thank you for being a role model for your children and taking control of health in your home!!

Sherri - posted on 10/07/2010

I do not cook for my 12 & 13yr old. Actually don't even get up with them. They get up and get themselves to the bus stop. They either, have cereal, oatmeal, or frozen pancakes/waffles. My 4yr old I get up with everyday. He either has cereal, frzn pancakes/waffles, oatmeal or I will make him a tortilla w/an egg and american cheese. Or homemade breads or muffins made the night before.



We only make big breakfasts on the weekends homemade pancakes or eggs and turkey bacon.



We only eat organic foods and also we always have fruit as well pears, strawberries, blueberries, bananas. Yogurt and granola are a staple in our home. I never buy junk or sugary anything.



The only junk you ever find in our house belongs to my husband who I will never change but the kids know that that is dads food and we don't eat it. Sugary cereals, processed foods and Little Debbie snacks. UGH!!

Heather - posted on 10/07/2010

I cook my kids breakfast every morning. They get a breakfast sandwich either on a whole wheat english muffin, whole wheat toast, or a biscuit. If they get up and in the kitchen early enough before the bus in the cold time they can have oatmeal or cream of wheat and a scrambled egg. I also fix there lunches. Buying lunch is pretty expensive. And this way I know what they are eating, and no I am not an organic food or specialty food person. I am just practical.

Joy - posted on 10/07/2010

Well I only have one child and he's only 3 (almost 3). Most mornings I cook something for him and I don't mind but then again, I'm a SAHM and not rushed by multiple kids and school schedules, etc. yet. I have mornings where I just don't feel like messing up my kitchen and yes, I'll do dry cereal or something simple like peanut butter toast and a banana. But I have a feeling that cooking his breakfast will be something I do his entire childhood. I've been making his food from scratch since he started eating and so it's really no big deal. Scrambling an egg is nothing compared to making your own baby food (which isn't hard but can be time consuming making in bulk). I actually enjoy doing it for him every day. He gets on his little stool and stands there watching my every move, asking questions as I prepare and cook whatever. I let him help me measure the oats if I'm doing oatmeal (I still do stove top oatmeal) and he loves being part of it.

Emma - posted on 10/07/2010

Mostly on the weekends, but occasionally egg and soldiers during the week. The kids get good nutrition from Porridge and Weetbix and other healthy cereals, better than fruit loops or coco pops etc. Try packing a piece of fruit for them to eat before classes start at school if you're worried they'll get hungry?

Andi - posted on 10/07/2010

I feel like cooking food for kids is an expression of love. I believe they are what they eat and that some traditions should be passed down to our children. They will always remeber the breakfasts that mom cooks and hopefully they will do it for their children!

Julie - posted on 10/07/2010

sausage balls



3 cups of baking mix ( like bisqiuck if you dont make your own)

2 cups of grated cheese( whatever kind you like)

1 pound of sausage. I use mild but some people like the sausage to be hot.



Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix everything together. If you find them not moist enough add a little water. Form mixture into 1 inch balls. Bake for 15 minutes.-25 till done.



You can freeze these before cooking or after and they do great either way!



these are a favourite quicky breakfast around my house

Melissa - posted on 10/07/2010

You are not spoiling them! I don't always cook for them now that two of them are old enough and wan to do it themselves (for stuff like oatmeal). However, when they were younger, I would cook full breakfasts every single day. Just curious, would she say you were spoiling them if you didn't feed them cereal or PB&J's for dinner?

Stacy - posted on 10/07/2010

I think it's great that you cook breakfast for your kids.You are molding them to be caring and responsible people. They will remember their mornings with you long after they have grown up. Just think, when they are grown and married they will fix you breakfast when you go to visit your grandchildren. Keep up the good work.

Amber - posted on 10/07/2010

I always give my daughter a hearty breakfast, don't let this other mom tell you that you are spoiling your kids. You are feeding your kids and that to me could never mean spoiling them. Afterall they always say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I wouldn't skip on it.

Mary - posted on 10/07/2010

I do cook some times for my kids but some times they do not want a hot meal so they have a bowl of cearl or a breakfast drink that has all of there vit in them or they have a glass of oj and a breakfast bar no pop tarts..

Michele - posted on 10/07/2010

I, too make hot breakfast most mornings for my son. We talk about what he'd like the night before at tuck in time, so we both agree and there's no changing his mind in the morning. Usually he chooses pancakes, but this morning it was oatmeal. I just want to make sure he eats before he starts his full day of Kindergarten. I am in full agreement of you and you're doing what's right for your family.

Minnie - posted on 10/07/2010

Processed food is anathema in our house so yes, our children get a cooked breakfast most days. Other days are fresh fruit or smoothies.

Kelly - posted on 10/07/2010

I think you are doing a great job providing healthy brain foods for your children and it sounds as if your friend is jealous, so ignore her!!! You need to always do what you think is right for your children and if she has a different opinion, you can agree to disagree.

Shannon - posted on 10/07/2010

I do... :-)

Hannah - posted on 10/07/2010

I was brought up in a family that believes on breakfast and always eating together at family meals.
No matter my busy schedule, i ensure that my baby have her breakfast before ever leaving the house to her day care centre. I enjoy watching my daughther eat and i supervise her feeding to make sure she eats well. I don't believe in the doctrine of letting your children eat any how, on snacks instead of a good home meal because they may not eat the right kind of balance diet. She takes her breakfast at home, while i pack her other meals for the day in her lunch box before setting out to work everyday.

Pauline - posted on 10/07/2010

No way, it's toast, cereal, yoghurt, porridge and fruit on offer in my house. Not all of us are lazy or ignorant that don't cook breakfast, I live in nth Qld, Australia and honestly a hot brekky is the last thing you want. Often you only want cold meat and salad for dinner as well as opposed to a hot meal. Just because it's not hot dosen't mean it's not healthy. My daughter and I do just fine.

Jodi - posted on 10/07/2010

Quoting Loureen

"You do all know there are some very healthy varieties of cereal that are not suger laden and that healthy cereals makes up the largest part of the food pyramid right , not protein ?

I dont feel its about conveniance i think people are more aware of what is healthy and in what proportions , protein such as meat and eggs only make a very small amount of our daily diet for example a healthy portion of protein for an ADULT should be no bigger than your hand ."



Thank you for mentioning that Loureen. Reading through these posts I was thinking exactly the same thing.



Cooked breakfasts full of sausages, eggs, ham, etc, every day are actually NOT all that healthy for you. Assuming that people don't cook breakfast because of the convenience is just not the case. Assuming that a breakfast that has not been cooked is also not giving sufficient energy to our children is also incorrect. Low GI carbohydrates are slow burning carbs, perfect for energetic little bodies.



And just for the record, it is recommended that you really shouldn't eat more than around 7 eggs per week (for an adult). Eggs contain cholesterol. This on its own isn't alarming, and shouldn't stop anyone eating eggs, one egg a day is highly unlikely to increase your blood cholesterol. However, more than this, and it *could* affect your cholesterol levels, depending on the individual. Meat also contains cholesterol, so an egg plus meat for breakfast, and then more meat for dinner could take you over you protein AND your saturated fat (and cholesterol) limits. Which isn't a problem if it is occasional, but could become an issue if it is every day.



I guess my point is that cooked breakfasts can be unhealthy too, so cooking breakfast for your children doesn't necessarily mean you are doing better for your kids than someone who isn't.

Medic - posted on 10/06/2010

I hardly ever make a hot breakfast but my son eats fruit salad of some sort every morning with either a hard boiled egg or some cheese, he also sometimes asks for yogurt to go with it. To me personally that is a convient, easy breakfast. My son is four and would rather eat that than almost anything else in the world for breakfast. I bet she is just insecure about how she feeds her kids.

Charlie - posted on 10/06/2010

Only as a treat because breakfast in our house is muslie , yogurt , fresh fruit and juice or a glass of milk we NEVER have sugery cereal , i dont think hot breakfasts are the norm Australia .

You do all know there are some very healthy varieties of cereal that are not suger laden and that healthy cereals makes up the largest part of the food pyramid right , not protein ?

I dont feel its about conveniance i think people are more aware of what is healthy and in what proportions , protein such as meat and eggs only make a very small amount of our daily diet for example a healthy portion of protein for an ADULT should be no bigger than your hand .