Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 15/01) - In the mad morning rush to get the kids to school, it's easy to let breakfast lapse.

But if kids are to do well in school, it's better to let them trip off with different coloured socks than to let them leave without eating the most important meal of the day.

Jill Christensen, nutritionist for Yellowknife Public Health, shows some examples of healthy snacks. - Lynn Lau/NNSL photo

"Teachers do notice kids who haven't had a good breakfast as they don't go past that mid-morning slump," says Jill Christensen, a nutritionist for Yellowknife Public Health. "They bottom out. It's hard to concentrate and focus on an empty stomach."

A morning meal doesn't have to be complicated to include at least three of the four food groups suggested by the Canada Food Guide. "Cereal with milk and juice is three food groups," says Christensen. "Even having toast is better than having a chocolate bar or nothing."

For lunch, Christensen suggests getting children to help pack their own lunches the night before. That way, it's more likely that they'll want to eat what's in the bag.

"Put a food group chart on the fridge with the rule that they have to take a food from each group. They'll come up with wonderful concoctions, but it's their lunch. It has to be something they enjoy."

A frozen container of juice or a refreezable ice pack can help keep the food chilled and more appetizing when it comes time to eat it.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that growing children often don't get all the nutrients they need from just three meals a day -- snacks between meals help them get all the energy they need. Make sure lunch includes healthy snacks for kids to eat during recess and allow them eat something healthy after school.

"For young children in particular, it's just impossible for them to eat enough at one sitting. They need to have healthy snacks and healthy meals and spread it out over the day."

Pick up nutrition information and your own copy of the Canada Food Guide at the Public Health office in the Jan Stirling Building.