What should kids eat for breakfast to be healthy?

Kids are growing, so unless there are health problems, one shouldn't skimp on the calories! It is important that the breakfast they eat provide energy and nutrients.

Why? Think about your kid's day: right after breakfast, they are going to school where they will be playing around and using mental energy to learn all before lunch! Just like adults, they should eat breakfast within 2 hours of waking (In English, we call it "breakfast" because we need to "break" the "fast" of not eating overnight).

That being said, they need less at dinner as they are likely going to bed and not using too much energy.

How much? Breakfast should probably be about 1/3 of their daily caloric requirement, which for most would be 600-700 calories. However, the exact amount varies on the requirements of your child (age, weight, any medical conditions, whether he or she is involved in sports, etc.) A medical professional, such as a paediatrician or nutritionist or nurse, would be the best choice to help you determine what is appropriate for your special child.

When in doubt, focus on ensuring meals and snacks collectively involve the appropriate food groups instead. Your child needs calcium and vitamin D for his or her growing bones, protein for growing muscles and other cells, carbs to fuel all that activity and learning, and a variety of other vitamins and minerals just to keep the body functioning! While snacks may come from one food group and kept simple, meals should include foods from several. Generally, every meal should include some from fruits/veggies and bread products, while dairy and protein (meat or alternatives) need to be consumed at least once a day (assuming the typically North American diet where several servings of dairy products or meat and alternatives are consumed in one meal).