Canadian breakfast habits revealed

(NC)—While most Canadian families agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, many find it challenging to do as a family. Mainly due to time restraints, many children today have no choice but to eat breakfast in the car, on the bus, and now – due to the initiatives of programs such as Breakfast Clubs of Canada – sometimes at school.

To understand the true breakfast patterns of Canadian families, Environics Research conducted a national poll on behalf of Minute Maid, and the findings were enlightening. For example, 41 per cent of Canadian parents say they lack time to prepare a proper breakfast and one in three think their family doesn't have time to eat one either. Family food expert, Nadine Hughes, has developed realistic tips based on the results of the research, to help us find easy, healthy ways to improve our daily routine, as follows:

• Transit plan: Make sure you have good-to-grab options ready to go for the morning. Portable offerings like home-made granola, breakfast bars small 100% juice tetra packs or smoothies are ideal.

• Prep in the evening: Pre-make foods on the weekend or the evening before to keep breakfast interesting. Put on a pot of slow-cooker oatmeal or make pancakes in advance that can be reheated quickly in the toaster.• Realistic recipes: Select morning meals that will work with your families' prep schedule. If you prefer to cook breakfast in the morning, select quick-turnaround options that will fit into your routine.

• More bang for your minute: If you do eat at home but are strapped for time, plan breakfasts that will be nutrient-rich and foods with staying power. Think whole grains, protein, yoghurt, or fruit. And don't forget the beverages: make sure they're also bringing something to the table. Milk is great for calcium and protein, and kids who are finicky with fruit can get their much-needed vitamin C with small glass of 100% juice.

Additional details on the above breakfast recipes, as well as information about the ongoing partnership with Breakfast Clubs of Canada, are available online at MinuteMaid.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Articles are provided free of charge. Articles appearing on web sites, must credit www.newscanada.com. Articles appearing in Print, must credit News Canada with (NC) at beginning of an article or – News Canada at the end. Any source/sponsor of the information quoted in the text must also be identified as presented. Images are only to be used with corresponding editorial copy. Usage of News Canada articles constitutes your acceptance of these terms and an agreement between you and News Canada.