5 refreshing eats to start the day
Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to start your child’s day off right with delicious and nutritious meals. Whether you’re aiming to spark their imagination with playful dishes or seeking quicker options for busy mornings, we’ve got you covered!
In this post, we’ll explore a variety of fun and easy breakfast ideas that will make mornings a breeze and keep your little ones energised for a day of learning and play. Let’s dive in!
1. Teddy Bear Toast
The Teddy Bear Toast is a delightful breakfast treat that combines bread, creamy peanut butter, and fresh fruits to create an adorable teddy bear face that kids will love.
Not only is it visually appealing, it's also packed with essential nutrients. This playful and wholesome breakfast option is perfect for encouraging kids to eat healthily while having fun with their food!
Ingredients:
2 slices of whole-grain bread
Peanut butter (or any nut/seed butter of your choice)
1 banana, sliced
6 blueberries
2 raspberries
(optional) Other fruits & ingredients
Instructions:
1. Toast the bread: Toast the bread slices until they are golden brown and slightly crispy.
2. Spread the peanut butter: Evenly spread peanut butter on each slice of toast.
3. Create the teddy bear face: Place one banana slice in the center of each toast slice, and add a blueberry on top of it to form the nose. Next, add two blueberries above the banana slice to form the eyes. To create the ears, add two additional banana slices to the top of each toast on each side, and then place half a raspberry on each banana slice.
4. Serve and enjoy: Arrange the teddy bear toast on a plate and serve immediately. Enjoy this fun and healthy breakfast treat!
This adorable and nutritious Teddy Bear Toast is perfect for kids and makes breakfast time both enjoyable and delicious. Switch out the ingredients as needed!
2. Cereal
Breakfast for toddlers can be both easy and enjoyable! Instead of just serving cereal with milk, we can introduce more toppings to add fun and variety. One approach is to create a mini cereal bar, and allow your child to exercise autonomy by choosing their cereal ingredients.
This is also an excellent opportunity to acquaint your child with a variety of ingredients, such as vegetables and nuts, fostering their familiarity and comfort with these nutritious options over time.
Ingredients:
Assorted cereals (choose healthier options with low added sugar, at least 1-2 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein per serving)
Whole milk, soy milk, or pea-based milk (or substitute with plain or flavoured yogurt )
Fresh fruits (such as berries, sliced bananas, or diced apples)
Optional toppings: nuts, seeds, and other vegetables
Instructions:
1. Set up the mini cereal bar: Arrange various cereals in small bowls or containers, and place bowls of fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, and other toppings nearby.
2. Choose the cereal: Allow your child to select their favorite cereal and place it in their bowl.
3. Add the milk or yogurt: Pour whole milk, soy milk, or pea-based milk over the cereal. Alternatively, you can substitute milk with yogurt
4. Add toppings: Encourage your child to choose from the available toppings to add to their cereal. Include fresh fruits for added flavor and nutrition. You can also take this chance to introduce your child to vegetables in a fun and familiar way, such as by adding chopped broccoli to the mix.
5. Mix and enjoy: Let your child mix the cereal and toppings together. Serve immediately and enjoy a nutritious and engaging breakfast.
Tips
As kids grow older, slightly more added sugar in cereals is acceptable, but aim to keep it under 6 grams per serving.
Encourage your child to try different combinations of cereals and toppings to keep breakfast interesting and varied.
3. Omelette
Omelettes are a fantastic breakfast option for preschoolers, offering a healthy dose of protein and the opportunity to sneak in some veggies. Plus, if the omelette attempt fails, you can always convert it into scrambled eggs. Can’t go wrong here! 🤣
Ingredients:
2 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
Butter or oil as needed
Fillings (you can exercise more creativity here): cheese, finely chopped vegetables (such as bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms), ham, or cooked sausage
Instructions:
1. Prepare the ingredients: Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with a fork until the yolks and whites are well combined. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Heat the pan: Place a non-stick pan over medium heat and add butter or oil. Allow it to melt and coat the pan evenly.
3. Cook the eggs: Pour the beaten eggs into the pan and let them cook undisturbed for a few moments until they start to set around the edges. Gently push the edges toward the center with a spatula, allowing the uncooked eggs to flow to the edges.
4. Add fillings: When the eggs are mostly set but still slightly runny on top, add your desired fillings evenly over one half of the omelette. Cook for another minute until the eggs are fully set and the fillings are warmed.
5. Fold and serve: Carefully fold the omelette in half over the fillings. Slide it onto a plate and let it cool slightly before serving.
Spicing it up
We can introduce more variations and additions to the omelette recipe to make them even more interesting and delicious for your child.
1. Colourful veggies: Incorporate a variety of colourful vegetables like red bell peppers, spinach, and cherry tomatoes to make the omelette visually appealing. Bright colours can make the meal more enticing.
2. Cheese fun: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the omelette just before folding it, or mix cheese into the beaten eggs for a gooey, cheesy center. Kids often love the melty texture of cheese.
3. Smiley-face omelette: Create a face on the omelette using vegetables or cheese. For example, use cherry tomatoes for eyes, a slice of capsicum for a mouth, and shredded cheese for hair. This can turn breakfast into a fun and creative activity.
By incorporating these tips, you can transform a simple omelette into an exciting and nutritious meal that your child will look forward to eating. Making breakfast fun and engaging helps foster positive eating habits and encourages kids to enjoy a variety of healthy foods.
4. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a versatile and nutritious breakfast option that kids will love. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized with various toppings to keep breakfast exciting and healthy. Here’s a simple oatmeal recipe perfect to enjoy with your child.
Ingredients:
1 cup of rolled oats or quick oats
2 cups of milk (whole milk, almond milk, soy milk, or any preferred milk)
1 banana, sliced
Other optional ingredients (adjust accordingly):
1 tablespoon Honey or maple syrup for sweetness
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of fresh berries (such as blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries)
1/4 cup of chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans) or seeds (such as chia seeds or flaxseeds)
1/4 cup of dried fruits (such as raisins or cranberries)
Instructions:
1. Cook the oats: Bring the milk to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan, then stir in the oats and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are tender and creamy. For quick oats, cooking time will be about 2-3 minutes.
2. Sweeten and flavour: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the honey or maple syrup, if using, and the cinnamon for extra flavor.
3. Serve and top: Divide the cooked oatmeal into bowls. Top each bowl with slices of banana, fresh berries, chopped nuts or seeds, and dried fruits.
4. Mix and enjoy: Let your child mix the toppings into the oatmeal to distribute the flavours. Serve immediately and enjoy a warm, nutritious breakfast.
Tips:
For added protein, stir in a spoonful of nut butter (such as almond or peanut butter) while cooking the oats.
If your child prefers a creamier texture, use a bit more milk and cook the oats a bit longer!
This simple and nutritious oatmeal recipe is a great way to ensure your kids start their day with a balanced and wholesome meal!
5. Pancakes
Everyone loves pancakes! Pancakes are both easy to make and deliciously nutritious. This recipe is perfect for busy parents, with a simple preparation and the option to freeze leftovers for convenience!
Ingredients:
1 medium egg
1 cup whole milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Other optional ingredients (adjust accordingly):
1 teaspoon quality vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon honey
Greek yogurt (for serving)
Fresh fruits & berries (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the batter: In a bowl, beat the egg and then mix in the milk. Next, stir in the flour and baking powder. Stir in, as needed, the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, poppy seeds, and honey for extra flavour. Next, add in the butter and mix.
2. Cook the pancakes: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil. Drop spoonfuls of batter to form pancakes of desired size (teaspoon for 1-inch pancakes, tablespoon for 2-inch pancakes). Cook until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes and the bottom turns golden brown. Flip and cook until both sides turn golden brown
3. Serve: Place the cooked pancakes on a plate and serve warm. Top with some greek yogurt and fresh berries for a delightful and nutritious breakfast.
Tips:
These pancakes can be frozen once cooled completely. Store in a freezer bag or airtight container, and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop when ready to serve.
Experiment with different toppings like sliced bananas, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup to customise the pancakes to your child’s taste.
Have fun with these recipes and let us know if they’re a hit with your child!
