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Breakfast at home: get organised

15 June 2024
Food & Finances
Self-help article

Research has shown that parents find breakfast time one of the most stressful times of the day, and this can contribute to family pressures. Families rushing to get to work, getting everyone dressed, fed and out of the house on time can be a real challenge. On this page we have shared some resources that have been designed to make life easier for families at breakfast time and alleviate some of the family pressures.

Breakfast hacks

Parents told us that getting children to try new foods and eat a healthy breakfast can be a real challenge. So here are some workarounds for getting your children to load up their breakfast bowl with more fruit and veg, eat a greater variety of food types, and how the freezer can become your new best friend by batch cooking quick, simple recipes that are perfect for making ahead.

Freeze it

Keep fruit in bags in the freezer for an instant breakfast smoothie. Overripe bananas work well. ​Make a batch load of breakfast items e.g. muffins, pancakes…freeze and just get them out as required. It is always good to have food in the freezer for an emergency breakfast!

Fun it

Mash berries, yoghurt and bananas for a tasty toast topper with a difference. Try something different such as a breakfast kebab, a breakfast pizza, omelette in a bag, breakfast in a mug, fruit and yoghurt lollies, breakfast fruit crumble, breakfast trifle.​

Veg it

Children not keen on vegetables? Try adding them to smoothies – spinach, kale, celery and carrots work well. Use leftover vegetables from the night before and mix with eggs for an instant scramble or omelette – it saves you money and it adds taste so it’s a double bonus!

Spice it

Make porridge more exciting by adding fruit and spices such as raisins, cinnamon or nutmeg. Try adding a little spice to your eggs such as an omelette or scrambled egg – curry powder works well!

Breakfast on the go

Sitting down at the dining table is an ideal start to the day – but with busy schedules this isn’t always achievable. Try these easy ideas for a quick breakfast on the go.

Freezable

Banana bread: Follow our recipe & make your own.

American pancakes: Look for our recipe variations – try adding fruit such as blueberries, bananas or strawberries to the batter mix, so you have ‘built in’ fruit! ​

Breakfast muffin: Use our recipe for blueberry breakfast muffins. Keep in the freezer & defrost when needed.

The night before

​Overnight oats: Add layers of fruit, yoghurt and oats & little milk to a reusable cup. Leave in the fridge overnight. Tip– the bottom layer should be fruit. Experiment with different fruits​.

​Mini baked omelette: Follow our recipe. ​

​Breakfast sandwich: Use bread/bagels/muffins/pitta as your base, add your choice of fillings: egg, avocado, cream cheese, tomatoes, sliced banana etc.​​

Breakfast burritos: Add some muesli, yoghurt & fruit to a wrap. Other ideas include: scrambled egg & tomatoes, avocados & tomatoes, banana & nut butter.

Quick

Smoothies: Quick & easy; blitz some fruit, yoghurt & milk together, top with some oats/fruit/seeds for some extra energy, place in a portable cup. Be creative and try our smoothie recipe.

Fruit: Grab a banana, apple, orange, grapes for a simple breakfast on the go.

Yoghurt fruit cups: Place fruit in the bottom of a portable cup (frozen fruit is great), top with yoghurt.

Tips for a stress-free start to the day​

In a recent Kellogg’s research study, one in five parents with primary aged children consider breakfast to be the ‘trickiest’ time of day (Kellogg’s 2018). Early morning starts can feel chaotic and rushed, with three fifths of parents saying they struggle to find enough time to eat breakfast as a family – and one in ten never sit down to eat the meal together. The research also found that although three quarters of mums and dads consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day, one third said breakfast time with the kids leaves them feeling ‘stressed and overwhelmed’.

Here are some top tips to reduce the stress at breakfast time:

Prepare

Do as much as possible the night before (shower, PE kit, packed lunch, uniform ready, homework ready).​

Time

Make sure you have plenty of time, get everybody up in good time and leave 5 minutes earlier than you need to.​

Routine

Use a planner/tick list/chalkboard and establish set routines. Download a free planner.​

Rules

No computers, phones, tablets, TV, electronics, screen time until dressed, breakfast eaten, teeth cleaned, ready for school.

Positivity

Stay positive and use positive language and encouragement to start the day off well and with a smile.

Fun

Make mornings fun: have music playing (create a playlist that everybody likes).​

Breakfast

Keep breakfast simple. Lay things out the night before and allow children to help themselves if old enough: why not try our recipes?​

Praise

Offer incentives/rewards for calm mornings and doing tasks themselves (getting dressed/brushing teeth/wash face).

Useful downloads

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