Wednesday, February 4, 2015

What Do Your Kids Eat For Breakfast?


Recently, I was fascinated by this New York Times article depicting breakfasts children eat around the world.  Inspired by the article, I started taking photos of what my twin three-year-old sons eat for breakfast.  I don't do anything fancy, and rely heavily on frozen foods to simplify the morning routine (though I try to use healthy, organic options as much as possible).  I usually only make pancakes or French toast from scratch if we have nowhere to be in a hurry.  My pattern for the meal tends to be: 1.) Grain-based item, 2.) Fruit, and 3.) Protein.  This isn't based on any extensive nutritional research, just the mode we've fallen into that satisfies the boys and keeps them full until morning snack. 

While I've photographed a few of their meals in their entirety, I often serve the fruit first, to make sure they eat it, with promises of the next "course," or item, if they finish ;)  

Blueberries, cheddar cheese, Earth's Best French Toast Sticks sprinkled with cinnamon. 

Apple slices and a cha siu bao (a Cantonese barbecued-pork-filled steamed bun).

Strawberries, Applegate Naturals Chicken and Maple sausage, and Trader Joe's Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes.

Pear slices, Applegate Natural's Turkey and Sage sausage, and Earth's Best Organic Mini Waffles with strawberry jam.



When the boys wake up I give them juice as well.  Usually it's organic apple juice, just a few ounces, that I pour into sippy cups along with 1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup and topped up with water.  We eat breakfast about an hour after they wake up, so then they usually have milk with the meal.

A few other things we tend to have at breakfast that didn't get photographed:
  • Trader Joe's Multi-Grain Toaster Waffles
  • De Wafelbakkers Sweet Potato Cinnamon Whole Grain Spelt Pancakes (Freezer section of some grocery stores.)
  • Raspberries
  • Bananas
  • Applesauce
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Any other flavor of Applegate Naturals breakfast sausages and patties (Freezer section of some grocery stores, including Target.)
  • Any other type of cheese
  • Yogurt
They love bacon but we rarely have it, and sadly, they don't seem to like eggs :(  

What do your kids eat for breakfast?  I'd love to hear your ideas!