GIANT ACTIVE

Want your child to grow up smart, happy, and healthy? She'll be off to a good start when each day begins with a healthy breakfast. Here are a few reasons to sit down to a family breakfast every morning.

• Breakfast is food for thought. Brains run on glucose, which comes from food. After a long slumber, glucose is in short supply, and your body needs a refill. Kids who eat breakfast have longer attention spans and better school performance than kids who skip the meal.
• Breakfast is food for (good) mood. Eating a nutritious breakfast promotes balanced blood sugar levels, warding off crankiness.
• Breakfast is food for fitness. People who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. Your child will have more energy to spend for physical activities, promoting a healthy body. And starting the breakfast habit early will help your child maintain the habit for years to come.

Just any old breakfast won't do. Try whole grains, fresh fruit, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid those highly processed "breakfast bars". If you're in a rush, opt for fresh fruit and whole-grain toast instead.