Canadian parents say they think it's important that their family eat breakfast, and claim they would feel worried, disappointed or even guilty if one of their children missed this important meal, even for one day, according to a recent survey commissioned by Minute Maid.
In a recent press release, the company noted that of those surveyed, only one in five families reported eating breakfast together on a regular basis. The release noted some of the other results from the survey.
Nine out of 10 Canadian parents surveyed agreed that it's important for their family to eat a well-balanced breakfast. But according to the survey, 41 per cent said they lack time to prepare a proper breakfast, and one in three said their family doesn't have time to eat a proper breakfast.
The reasons for this vary: Kids want to sleep longer or won't wake up on time (31 per cent), other morning activities take priority over breakfast (16 per cent), or they just feel too busy to eat (17 per cent).
The press release noted the following tips to help families find achievable, healthy ways to improve their daily breakfast routine:
? TRANSIT PLAN:
Ensure you have good-to-grab options ready to go for the morning. Portable offerings like homemade granola, breakfast bars, or smoothies are a great solution.
? PREP IN THE EVENING:
Make foods on the weekend or in the evening to keep breakfast interesting. Put on a pot of slow-cooker oatmeal or make pancakes in advance that can be reheated in the toaster the next morning.
? REALISTIC RECIPES:
Select morning meals that will work with your family's prep schedule. If you prefer to cook breakfast in the morning, select quick-turnaround options that will fit into your routine.
? MORE VALUE FOR YOUR MINUTE:
If you do eat at home but are strapped for time, plan breakfasts that will be nutrient-rich, such as whole grains, protein, yogurt, or fruit.
While the Minute Maid poll results illustrated many similar breakfast sentiments across Canada, the findings also revealed unique differences between specific regions.
? Nearly one quarter (22 per cent) of Alberta parents feed their kids breakfast but skip it themselves; only six per cent of parents in Quebec leave the house on an empty stomach.
? Thirty per cent of Quebec families sit down together in the morning to eat; only seven per cent do the same in Alberta.
? Sixty-two per cent of B.C. residents eat breakfast at home, but not together; Atlantic Canadians are the least likely to eat apart at home (52 per cent).
? Sixteen per cent of Ontario families eat breakfast in transit; only five per cent eat breakfast en route in British Columbia.
