HELPFUL HINTS FOR FAMILY LIFE Healthy breakfasts for children

A new report suggests almost all cereals marketed at children still contain high or medium levels of sugar. As part of the Food Foundation’s Broken Plate report, Action on Sugar and Action on Salt looked at 126 breakfast cereals with child-friendly images such as bright colours or cartoons. It found 92per cent contained high or medium amounts of sugar – an increase from 91 per cent last year – with almost half (43 per cent) containing chocolate.

Nutritionist Dr Kawther Hashem, campaign lead at Action on Sugar, said:

‘The use of child-friendly packaging makes it hard for parents to make a healthier choice, when companies should be making it easier. ‘While we are expecting to see restrictions on online and television advertising for foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, this does not yet apply to the packaging that may appeal to children, which is a huge concern.’

Paediatric dietitian Clare Thornton-Wood (claretw. com) says breakfast is important: ‘We know eating a healthy breakfast supports them to be able to concentrate well at school.” Potential drawbacks to eating a sugary breakfast, she says, include how it could impact children’s teeth.

So what does she recommend children have for a healthy breakfast? Cheap and cheerful breakfasts when money is tight…

‘A slice of toast with egg would be one option, or a slice of toast with baked beans.’

For school age kids, she says wholegrain toast would be good.

Fast and easy for school mornings…

‘Yoghurt with some fruit, and maybe muesli or nuts in the yoghurt.”

This is because it’s packed full of the good stuff: ‘It’s giving you calcium, it’s giving you protein from the yoghurt,’ she explains. ‘The nuts have got lots of those nutrients in – fibre and vitamins and minerals, and fruit will contribute to your five a day.’

Breakfasts you can prep the night before?‘Overnight oats is a good one. You can involve children in making those and you can do lots of different combinations.’