Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and many schools now have a breakfast program, so children can eat a good meal before the start of a long day. With that being said, many children are picky about what they will eat, and there are parents who would rather know exactly what foods their kids are eating, rather than leaving it up to the school cafeteria. Hopefully this list will be able to give you some good ideas for a before school breakfast for your little ones.

• Make a loaf or two of banana bread and serve warm, topped with butter. I am not keen on bananas, OR bread, but I will never turn down a slice or two of banana bread.
• Green smoothies may not look very appealing but they can be delicious. Some ingredients you can put in a green smoothie are pineapple, banana, apples, oranges, dates, pitted cherries, strawberries, almonds, baby spinach or kale. The ingredients you choose are entirely up to you. Get your kids involved in throwing the ingredients into the blender and they will be more apt to try it.
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Most picky children will eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich whenever they are offered food. While a PB&J might not be your choice for a healthy breakfast, it doesn’t have to be so bad. Offer a whole wheat rather than white bread, or even a tortilla wrap, which can make a fun little sandwich. Try to find a peanut butter brand without high fructose corn syrup or choose almond or cashew butter. Use fruit-only jelly instead of the high-sugar varieties.
• Make an omelet instead of scrambled eggs. Add sautéed vegetables, such as: onions, green pepper and mushrooms; along with plenty of your child’s favorite cheese. It really doesn’t take too long to do this, and you can prep everything the night before, so all you have to do is whip the eggs and throw it all in the pan.
• Cheese and fruits are also a good option for picky eaters. Chances are they like at least one type of cheese which will provide a good source of protein. Cut up apples and put them on a plate, or offer them fresh strawberries or grapes. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, but it will be a healthy way to start the day.
• Offer your picky child a variety of foods. Nuts, avocado slices, apples, cheese, hard boiled eggs or cereal they like to snack on. Think about things they DO like to eat and let your child eat that for breakfast to ensure they eat something, but add in a few things they may not have tried before. They may take a bite and decide that they really do like it.

As a parent you want your child to be healthy and happy. If they are a picky eater you may be concerned that they’re not getting the nutrients they need. If you offer them things they do like, no matter if they are traditional breakfast items or not, you can be sure they are eating until this picky stage passes.

With that being said, it is important to offer them a variety of foods, because if you just cater to their “likes” that is all they will eat, and they will remain picky eaters. Give them a lot of different foods to choose from, even if it is only a small bit to try. We have a 5 bite rule in this house. If it is something our kids “don’t like” or have never tried, we have them to take 5 bites of it before they decide whether or not to finish it. More often than not, they decide that they like it, and they will finish it. I found that kids usually decide in the first bite whether they like it or not, but taking that second bite might change their minds once their taste buds adapt to the newness.