Get your kids off on the right side of the bed--give them breakfast in the morning. In most American households, everyone is pretty rushed in the early morning hours. There never seems to be enough time to get ready for school or work, so we often cut out what should be the most important ritual of the morning--breakfast. As you have heard many times before, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, especially for kids. Studies have shown that kids who do not eat breakfast have a shorter attention span and less ability to concentrate. Also, children who do eat a morning meal perform better on tests, are more creative, and more enthusiastic in school.

If kids do not eat a healthy breakfast, they have a difficult time getting enough vitamins and calories throughout the day in order to grow properly and to have a healthy immune system. So, what would a nutritious breakfast be? It should include a variety of foods such as whole-grain cereal, whole-wheat toast, an egg, low-fat milk, fruit, or even a slice of pizza. It is important to be creative when serving your child breakfast. If he wants to eat an atypical food item for breakfast, let him. Breakfast does not have to be a traditional meal.

You can also use breakfast as a time for the family to sit together before everyone goes about their busy days. By showing your kids that you eat a healthy breakfast, you are acting as a good role model. If you really cannot find time to eat breakfast with your kids, find out if you school offers a breakfast program.

Here is a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast meal:

Bullseye Toast
Ingredients: 1 slice whole wheat bread
1 large egg
Oil spray

Toast the bread until lightly browned. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut a hole out of the center of the toast and discard. Spray a non-stick pan with oil and apply medium grade heat/fire. Place the slice of toast in the pan, and break the egg into the hole of the toast. Cook until egg is done. Make sure that the egg is cooked through. Salmonella (a common bacteria) resides in eggs, and if the egg is not fully cooked, your child could wind up with a bad stomach ache or much worse.

Nutitionist Bonnie Nasar, RD, graduated from New York University with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Food Studies. In addition to a private practice, Bonnie also is the director of Sweet Pea Children's Cooking School in Stony Brook NY. She and Sweet Pea Children's Cooking School can be reached at Hapee2Bmee@aol.com