Fall is almost here and it’s time to head back to school!  Did you know that regular breakfast consumption leads to increased attention and performance at work and school?   So no matter how busy you are, try to make breakfast a priority by eating it at home or taking it with you in a lunch bag every day.   

 Elizabeth Ward, USA Today’s nutrition blogger, shared her expert tips on easy ways to squeeze in breakfast:

·         Stock the fridge. Buy healthy single-serving items, such as low-fat string cheese, yogurt, bananas, instant oatmeal, cottage cheese, and cartons of 100 percent juice. Having these items makes a morning meal easier to assemble.

·         Cover the food pyramid. For balance, fill your lunch bag with choices from three of the five food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat/beans).

·         Choose foods carefully.  Read labels on breakfast and energy bars. Many are very high in sugar and not as healthy as they appear. For your morning OJ, make sure it is 100 percent fruit juice instead of fruit “drinks” which may contain very little fruit juice and lots of added sugar.

·         Stay on your own schedule. Not hungry early in the morning?  Remember you don’t have to eat your brown bag breakfast right when you get to school or work.  A healthy meal fuels the mind and body so just squeeze it in before lunchtime.

·         Be creative. If the typical morning fare doesn’t tempt your taste buds, opt for healthy non-traditional breakfast foods. Take some leftovers or grab a whole wheat dinner roll from last night and spread it with peanut butter.

·         Prepare with packaging. Avoid scrambling for a way to carry your breakfast. Keep brown bags, plastic baggies and Tupperware on hand in your kitchen.

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