PARRY SOUND - New survey says breakfast a priority, skipped by majority
While teary bedtimes or family dinners can make afternoons and evenings taxing for parents, it’s mornings that Canadian parents have declared the hardest.
Six out of 10 Canadian moms and dads say morning is the most stressful period of the day, according to the results of a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Breakfast Cereals Canada.
Morning time “thrival”
“As a mom and a dietitian, I know how crazy and chaotic the morning can be,” says Andrea Holwegner, a registered dietitian and mother of one. “It’s important not to skip breakfast. Eating well in the morning is easier – and faster – than many parents think.”
A breakfast that’s high in nutrition doesn’t need to be high in stress.
“Many breakfast cereals are an important source of whole grains and help kids meet their daily fibre recommendations – which otherwise isn’t so easy to do,” said Holwegner.
The “me time” connection
Not taking enough time to take care of their own needs also ups the stress factor for many parents.
Among those who reported spending lower amounts of their time on themselves, 71 per cent say it’s the most stressful part of the day “Breakfast cereal is a delicious, convenient, nutritious and economical option for busy Canadian families,” said Kathryn Fitzwilliam, executive director at Breakfast Cereals Canada.
“It’s our hope that by understanding what’s causing parents stress in the morning and by providing some simple solutions to get the family involved in preparing a healthy breakfast, we can help them smooth out crunch time.”
Think outside the box
If you are looking for a change from cereal with milk, try one of these equally quick morning options, as featured in the Morning Crunch Time Thrival Guide at morning crunchtime.
• Combine fruit, yogurt and cereal in a parfait glass. Spread nut butter on a banana and roll it in your favourite cereal
• Add bran cereal to a fruit smoothie to boost fibre content
• Freeze a batch of muffins or cereal bars using bran or whole grain cereal
• Sprinkle high fibre cereal and fruit atop frozen pancakes or waffles
• Make trail mix by combining cereal, nuts and dried fruit in a portable container
• If you do need to dash and dine, bring a bag of cereal and a portable cup of milk.
Cereal Facts
An important source of whole grains. For many breakfast cereals, a 30 gram portion counts as one serving of grain products from Canada’s Food Guide.
An important source of fibre. Breakfast cereal is an easy way to meet daily recommended intakes for fibre.
Sugar in perspective.
Breakfast cereals, including pre-sweetened varieties, contribute only five per cent of the added sugar in children’s diets.
A modest amount of sodium. Breakfast cereals account for just three per cent of the average Canadian daily sodium intake.
Get out the door
• And we’re off. It takes Canadian parents an average of 77 minutes from the time they wake in the morning until they get out the door.
• The great Canadian morning race: British Columbians spend the most time in the mornings getting ready (84 minutes); Quebecers spend the least (62 minutes).
• Morning time isn’t “me” time: On average, parents spend less than half the amount of time on themselves than they spend on their kids in the morning.