As summer ends and school begins, now is a great time to reinforce healthy habits for the entire family, which can start with a simple meal. The first meal of the day, ideally consumed within the first hour of waking, is breakfast, breaking the fast that has occurred overnight.

Breakfast is an important meal for everyone and is the most commonly skipped meal for reasons such as insufficient time, the early hour, unhealthy options, and dieting. Research indicates that over the past 30 years, children and adolescents in the United States are consuming less breakfast. This lack of morning food fare may have a greater impact on our society beyond tired minds early in the day. There are several benefits to breakfast, including its contribution to cognitive performance by alleviating hunger, and the indication that it may have an impact on memory.

For the entire article and the recipe for "Easy Fruit Muffins," go to http://www.ncpad.org/404/2217/Nutrition~spotlight~~2006-9~Issue~~Back~to~School~on~an~
Empty~Stomach.