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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-21, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 21,1999. PAGE 19. Smart breakfast habits start with parents "What’s for breakfast?" should be at the top of the checklist as parents and children prepare for going back to school. Nutrition experts agree that parents should lead by example when it comes to teaching their children healthy breakfast habits. According to a recent telephone survey of 200 Canadian parents commissioned by Kellogg's, 65 per cent stated that they think breakfast is more important for children than it is for adults. While 99 per cent of respondents indicated that nutrition plays an important role in helping children perform better in school, breakfast remains the most likely meal to be skipped. Over one third of parents surveyed reported that they often eat nothing for breakfast. Parents who set a good example at breakfast play a key role in helping their children develop healthy eating habits for life. "The best way for parents to encourage their children to develop healthy breakfast habits is to eat a balanced breakfast with their children," said Johanne Trudeau, registered dietitian and manager of nutrition communications at Kellogg Canada Inc. "Making the time to have breakfast with children provides an opportunity to talk about the school day ahead." Experts agree that breakfast is important for enhancing children's learning, creativity and physical performance. A wide range of research show that children who skip breakfast do not perform as well in the areas of problem solving, information selection, recall and use of newly acquired information, language skills and creativity when compared to children who eat breakfast. Research also shows that when children skip breakfast, they almost never make up for missed nutrients later in the day. Balancing Breakfast Did you know that the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry is the third largest employer in Canada, generating about $95 billion in domestic retail and food service sales each year? Help our farm vehicles to stay safe on the road by allowing yourself extra time and patience. The Huron Perth Safe Farming Coalition reminds you to watch for slow moving vehicle signs and to be extra alert at night watching for the red and amber reflective tape on large vehicles. Install Smoke Alarms IT’S THE LAW. The Ontario Fire Code requires that every home have working smoke alarms. . Install \ them in your home or cottage today! A balanced breakfast gives children the energy and essential nutrients they need to do their best at school and at play. According to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, a balanced breakfast includes choices from at least three of the four food groups - grain products, vegetables and fruits, milk products, and meat and alternatives. A balanced breakfast can be as quick and convenient as a bowl of ready-to-eat cereal with a fruit, a glass of milk and juice. "A balanced breakfast gives children the nourishment they need to grow," said Trudeau. "Children who eat breakfast consume more of life's essential nutrients and perform better in school. About one-quarter of children’s daily energy and essential nutrient needs should come from food they eat in the morning." "Parents should know that breakfast need not be eaten all in one sitting. The key is for children to eat a balance of nutritious foods throughout the morning, said Trudeau. When schedules are too hectic for a sit down morning meal parents can pack a breakfast for kids to eat on the go. A nutritious breakfast to go can be as simple as a cereal bar, fruit, or a juice box and cheese sticks. Back to School Breakfast Test To find out if your family's breakfast habits make the grade try Kellogg's second annual Breakfast Test. Yes No □□Did you and your children eat breakfast today? □□Did your breakfast include grain products, milk products and fruit? □□Did you know that children who eat break ■fast perform better at school? □□Did you know ready- to-eat cereals provide iron and zinc, minerals that encourage children's healthy growth? Plan Ahead for........... Huron Pioneer Thresher & Hobby Association Inc. 38th Anniversary Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 10, 11, & 12 It will soon be time for one of Western Ontario's most successful events, the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion in Blyth. This year the Thresher Reunion is celebrating its 38th successful year and once again The Citizen will publish a special souvenir edition for both regular readers and visitors. An additional 3,000 copies will be distributed to visitors and exhibitors attending the reunion. This edition will feature original stories about the people who come to the Reunion and those who have helped make it a success. Take advantage of this opportunity to promote your business or service. Call Jeannette McNeil or Les Cook at 519-523-4792 or Fax 519-523-9140 to reserve your space or to discuss your advertising plans. □ □ Do you stock breakfast foods your children enjoy eating? If you answered yes to one or two questions ... (C-) Your family's breakfast habits need some work. A simple way to get children to eat a balanced breakfast every day is to serve their favourite ready-to-eat cereal with milk and fruit or juice. If you answered yes to three or four questions ... (B+) There's room for a little improvement. Keep in mind that children need a balanced breakfast to give them the energy and nutrients they need to do their best at school and at play. If you answered yes to all five questions ... (A+) Well done! You know the importance of a balanced breakfast Playing role in food safety As a result of a new public education campaign called Fight BAC!™, Huron County residents will become increasingly aware of an invisible enemy - bacteria - which may be on their food, hands or in their kitchens. Huron County Health Unit has joined national industry, government, health, environmental, and consumer groups in this effort and will be working to spread the word that although bacteria may be out there, harmful bacteria can be stopped through the use of some simple food handling and storage practices. Huron County is urging people to Fight BAC!™ to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. Although the exact incidence of food-borne illness in Canada is unknown, Health Canada estimates that there are up to one million cases of food- borne illness each year. Consumers can protect themselves and their families from getting sick by following some basic rules for handling food safely at home. "The Health Unit is proud to be part of this major food safety initiative'," said Klaus Seeger, senior public health inspector. The for children's healthy growth and development and are making nutritious breakfast choices for your family. Smart Breakfast Tips Today's busy lifestyles means that finding time for the most important things, like breakfast, can be a challenge. A few simple survival strategies can make it easier even for young school-aged children to help themselves to a balanced and nutritious breakfast in minutes. Z Stock up on a variety of breakfast foods kids enjoy. Z Have kids set the table with special breakfast bowls and utensils before bedtime. Z Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen table. Fight BAC!™ Campaign will raise public awareness about four ways consumers can keep food safe from harmful bacteria: CLEAN - Always clean your hands, utensils and cooking surfaces thoroughly with hot water and soap before, during and after preparing food. Sanitize countertops, cutting boards and utensils with a mild solution of bleach and water. All produce should be washed under cool running water prior to eating or cooking. SEPARATE- Keep raw foods and their juices separated from other foods during storage and preparation. Keep separate cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables. Keep foods covered. COOK- Prepare foods quickly, cook them thoroughly and serve them immediately. Don't let potentially unsafe foods linger at room temperature as bacteria can grow quickly. The danger zone is between 4°C (40°F) and 60°C (140°F). CHILL - Refrigerate or freeze perishables, Z Let kids choose their favourite breakfast cereals. Z Keep milk and juice in easy-to-pour containers. Z Set a good example for your children to follow and be sure to cal breakfast each morning. Z Have convenient foods handy for "Breakfast-to-go" - cereal bars, fruit, cheese sticks and juice boxes. Parents interested in more information on the benefits of breakfast for children's healthy growth and development can contact Kellogg's by dialing 1-888- 876-3750, or by writing to the Registered Dietitians at Kellogg Canada Inc., 6700 Finch Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 5P2. prepared food and leftovers within two hours. Make sure the refrigerator is set at 4°C (40°F) or colder, and that the freezer unit is set at-18°C (0°F). "There is a need for co-ordination at all levels of industry, government and non-government organizations to publicize and emphasize the relationship of food safety in reducing food-borne illness in the Canadian population," said Seeger. The Health Unit's campaign is part of a Canada-wide safety education effort spearheaded by the Canadian Partnership for consumer Food Safety Education, a unique public-private partnership of over 40 federal and provincial organizations committed to reducing food-borne illness through ongoing education about safe food handling practices. Additional information on food safety and food-borne illness can be obtained from the Huron County Health Unit. For more information on the national FightBac campaign, visit the Partnership website at: www.canfightbac.org