The Tomahawk Café  invites all students and their parents to come eat  breakfast  during National School Breakfast Week,  March 7-10,  2011.   Breakfast is served only between 7:15 and 7:45 am to allow children to eat and get to class on time.  This celebration focuses on the importance of eating  breakfast.   This year, the theme is “School Breakfast Detectives” and will include activities centered  around  this private-eye themed campaign.    Be sure to check out the Breakfast  Detective Book Cover  Contest:  information for this design contest is available on the Blackboard/Cafeteria web page and is open to FSUS students in grades 1-12. 

Breakfast Really is the Most Important Meal of the Day
While breakfast may be the most important meal of the day for everyone, this is especially true for children and adolescents.  According to research , persons  who eat a healthy breakfast….

• are more likely to meet their nutritional needs for vitamins, minerals and fiber as many foods eaten at breakfast provide significant amounts of iron, calcium, and  vitamins  C and D
• have improved concentration and perform better in school
• have more energy and endurance to engage in physical activity
• have a better chance of maintaining a healthy weight and may be at a reduced risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Guidelines for a Healthy Breakfast
A healthy breakfast should be encouraged that includes a combination of protein, whole grain carbohydrates and healthy fats.  

Great Breakfast Tips:

• Best cereals have 5+ grams of fiber and less than 6 gm of sugar/serving.
• Offer  fresh  fruits.
• Add raisins or other dried fruit to provide natural sweetness to cereals.
• Offer skim or low fat milk.  
• Prepare oatmeal lowfat milk for extra calcium, vitamin D and protein.
• Add nuts to oatmeal for a source of healthy fat and protein.
• Choose  yogurts without high fructose corn syrup and try adding low sugar granola and/or fruit .
• Offer whole wheat  breads
• Spread natural nut butters on bread for a healthy protein and fat source.
• An egg is a great source of protein. 

LIMIT

• Foods high in sugar such as pastries, donuts, and highly sweetened cereals  as  these provide little nutritional value and minimal fiber.
• Highly processed meats that are high in fat and and sodium, such as bacon and sausage.     

Linda J. Searight, Food Service Director
Tomahawk Cafe at Florida High
lsearight@fsu.edu
850-245-3865