What's for breakfast?

National School Breakfast Week (March 4-8) School Nutrition AssociationYou've likely heard over and over about the importance of breakfast.  In growing children, it's especially important.  Kids that eat breakfast have better behavior, more focus and score higher on tests than children that skip it. But many families say "there's no time for breakfast" and may feed their kids something quick, but not so healthy (read Pop tart) while running out the door.  Below are some better options for breakfast.Bite this:Trail mix.  The beauty of trail mix is it can be made ahead of time and you can add virtually anything to it.  If your child needs a gluten free diet, you can use corn or rice Chex in place of wheat Chex, Cheerios or other cereal.  Add mixed nuts or seeds and dried fruit to boost protein, healthy fat and nutrient content.KIND bars.  There's a reason these bars are named KIND!  They are loaded with all natural, gluten free, organic ingredients with nothing funky like maltodextrin or chickory root.  Choose nut-based bars that pack a decent amount of protein to help keep energy levels up throughout the morning.  Check out www.kindsnacks.com  for more information on their products.PB and J  Peanut butter and jelly is not just for lunch.  You can make sandwiches ahead of time on whole wheat bread with a glass of milk on the side for more calcium and protein.  I'm a fan of natural peanut butter- less sugar and saturated fat than regular peanut butter.Yogurt and fruit.  Yogurt is loaded with calcium, potassium, protein and B vitamins, which all growing kids could use more of.  Pair it with some frozen fruit or low fat granola for a simple breakfast parfait.String cheese and fruit.  I always keep string cheese on hand because it's so portable.  Pair it with a handful of grapes or apple slices and you've got breakfast to go.  Try low fat varieties if you're concerned with fat or calorie content.Not that:Bagels.  While bagels may seem like a good breakfast choice, most are made with white flour, which does not provide much satiety (meaning, you are full for a few hours, then hungry again).  In addition, the calories with cream cheese added can reach over 400.Granola bars.  While granola bars are convenient, unless you choose ones with at least 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams or protein, your kid will be hungry within an hour of eating them.  Limit the type containing inulin and chickory root as these tend to cause more gastrointestinal distress.Sweetened cereal.  There's a myth that kids won't eat cereal that's not sweet.  Most cereals are already sweet if they contain dried fruit or yogurt bits.  Go for cereal with less than 5-6 grams of added sugar and at least 4-5 grams of fiber per serving.  These are more filling and will help your child focus longer.Doughnuts.  Who doesn't love a doughnut now and then?  Save these treats for the weekend (and eat them only on occasion). I call donuts "crispy crime" as they have little if any redeeming nutritional value.Nothing.  The worst breakfast is NO breakfast.  Growling tummies make for limited focus, poor learning and behavioral issues.  A handful of pretzels or crackers can suffice if nothing else is available.For more information on School lunch, see  http://www.schoolnutrition.org/nsbw