Children’s hunger has physical symptoms such as stomach pain, headache, muscle fatigue and sleepiness. Psychosocial symptoms include anxiety, nervousness, anger, indecisiveness, and unhappiness.

How does breakfast improve learning?
Research shows that breakfast improves cognition and behaviour. Well nourished students have more interest, concentration and improved academic performance.

They do better in tests that require problem solving and memory, make fewer errors in problem solving activities, are more able to perform complex tasks, and have improved late morning performance.

Teachers say that well nourished students are energetic and calm and they develop positive relationships with peers. They create fewer disruptions in class and the teacher is able to spend time on learning rather than behaviour management.

What’s in a nutritious breakfast?
It includes as many of the four food groups as possible because each group provides different essential nutrients. Aim for at least 3 of the four food groups.

A balanced breakfast consists of carbohydrate, protein and fat. It gives a child energy and prevents a drop in blood sugar for several hours.

A balanced breakfast keeps a child energized until lunch. It can be a quick and easy meal served at home, at school or on the go.

Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day?
After fasting through the night, your body needs food. Good nutrition begins with breakfast. It provides about one-quarter of the recommended dietary allowance for key nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Breakfast skippers tend not to make up for lost nutrients later in the day. They average less than two-thirds of the recommended daily intake of many important nutrients.

People who skip breakfast usually choose larger portions at lunch and they make impulsive and unhealthy food choices throughout the day.

Is this a socioeconomic issue?
Children of all socioeconomic levels are at risk for poor nutrition. Children from all backgrounds skip breakfast and go to school hungry.

With parents working, many children are on their own for meals and snacks. Often, they don’t have the knowledge or skills to choose or prepare healthy food. As a result, they skip meals altogether or they choose foods with limited nutritional value. This may appease their hunger but it does not meet their nutritional needs.

The learning-related effects of poor nutrition are not always physically or immediately evident. We can’t assume that a child of normal weight is well nourished.

How do school breakfast programs help?
Breakfast programs promote student achievement and healthy eating. They also create a sense of community among students, parents and volunteers.

Programs are universal and offer nutritious food to all students free of charge. They reach students at risk without the stigma attached to income-based programs.

There are 30 breakfast programs and 19 snack programs in PEI, serving 5,800 students. The national Breakfast for Learning organization provides partial funding for food, equipment and operating costs. The most successful breakfast programs are those that encourage local involvement through partnerships in the school community.

The presence of a breakfast program does not guarantee student participation or breakfast consumption, nor is the absence of a program equivalent to breakfast skipping.

What can families do?
This is a major concern for many Island families. Parents are concerned when their child skips breakfast, doesn’t eat enough good food before going to school, or they can't afford. All children are different. Some want to sleep in and don’t allow time for breakfast. Some children are not hungry until later in the day. Some don’t want to eat nutritious foods.  For some, there is no choice....

By helping BFBC, you are supporting the Healthy Eating Alliance / Breakfast for Learning (PEI).  Trust me when I say creating healthy eating environments at school is making a real difference in the lives of our children and in the community.