Fish oils help children perform better at school

A study of primary school children has found that supplements of fish and plant oils could push them from the bottom of class to the top in just two terms ::

Does the Atkins Diet really work?

Atkins goes against all nutritional advice to eat a sensible, balanced diet - (which would be lots of fruit and vegetables, protein, wholemeal carbohydrates and low saturated fat). Atkins is high in fat and very low in carbohydrates. Can it work and is it harmful?

The Importance of Breakfast

Everyone's got up late, there is chaos as they all try to get into the bathroom and find their brief case in the hall…. There's no time for breakfast……..

But Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You really should "Breakfast like a King, lunch like a lord and dine like a pauper…." Studies show that more and more teenagers are missing breakfast before school. More girls skip breakfast than boys, in an attempt to watch their weight, but research has shown that teens who eat a balanced breakfast, weigh less than those who have a sugary one or skip it all together. This is because if you don't have a good enough meal, you have to refuel mid morning on chocolate bars and crisps, which causes weight gain in the long run.

Studies have also measured children's concentration and reaction times during the morning after different breakfasts. Those kids who had either no breakfast or a poor sugary cereal one, had reaction times close to those expected of a 70 year old. With results like that, these children cannot be performing well at school.

A poor breakfast leads to problems

Missing breakfast or having a poor, sugary breakfast (corn flakes, rice pops, cocoa-pops, frosted flakes etc) can lead to:

• Weight gain
• Poor concentration
• Mood swings
• Hyperactive and disruptive behaviour
• Poor energy levels
• Cravings and snacking
• Headaches
• More illnesses such as colds and flu

A good breakfast is nutritious and gives you lots of energy

A good breakfast provides complex carbohydrates, which are slow to release their energy into the body. These will keep you going until lunch, providing the energy needed for work or study. Complex or wholemeal carbohydrates will also provide a range of vitamins, minerals and fibre which the body needs to function and grow properly, making it a much healthier choice.

Protein

Even better is to have some protein at breakfast also. (See the books of Kathleen DesMaisons for more info) It may seem like a lot to eat early in the morning if you are not used to it, but give it a go for a couple of weeks and you'll be amazed at how much better the whole family feels! (and behaves!). And you compensate later in the day by needing to eat less.

I know how hard it is to find the extra time for a good breakfast in the morning, but some planning the night before, or getting up 10 minutes earlier really will pay dividends - why not give it a go?!

Enjoy your breakfast!

Ailsa Brims

Read more here:

Porridge cuts childhood obesity BBC

Girls do better on breakfast BBC

Snack breakfasts slow childrens brains

Breakfast is most important meal BBC