Start your kids' day off with a healthy breakfast

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Childhood obesity affects one in six children and adolescents in the United States, which is why September has been recognized as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

Being overweight or obese can be hard on kids’ bodies, setting them up for health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, it can also be detrimental to their emotional well-being.

The good news is obesity can be prevented by following healthy eating and exercise routines.

Vikki LeBeau, owner of Texas Last Diet in The Woodlands, explains how starting kids off with the right breakfast can not only help prevent obesity, but can actually lead to better academic performance. “We all know that too much sugar weighs us down and makes us crash a couple hours later,” LeBeau said. “Take Cheerios, for example; a cereal most parents would deem a healthier choice. If you read the first five ingredients, it is all sugar and grains (which turn into sugar). It actually contains nine grams of sugar in one serving. Throwing in two sliced strawberries adds another two teaspoons.”

With the recommended daily amount of sugar set at six teaspoons per day, that breakfast already put them over the limit. “When kids eat a breakfast low in sugar," LeBeau said, "they feel better and study better with no sugar crash.”

LeBeau said an ideal breakfast is half an English muffin with eggs and sausage. The protein fills them up and keeps them satisfied until lunch.

School lunches are another area where kids can overdose on sugar. “Pre-packaged lunches are convenient and easy, but at what cost to our kids?" LeBeau said. "I can make five homemade ‘lunchable packs’ with a good quality lunch meat, cheese and crackers at a lower cost, and cut the sugar down to only three teaspoons, compared to nine.

“As parents, we are so adamant about our kids’ education, wanting the best schools and teachers, but we bypass what is most important to their health.”

LeBeau said it's important for parents to be involved in their children’s health -- teach them how to eat healthy and be active to prevent health problems such as obesity. She suggests involving kids in grocery shopping and meal planning, as well as talking to them about making healthy choices and the effects of sugar on their body and brain.