Why a big breakfast?
Reinforcing family values
We already know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and can contribute to a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is also a time when family can sit down together and build ties and relationships. Sharing meals contributes to better communication between family members. Furthermore, children copy others while eating so sharing meals will help children pick up good habits, and help build values essential to them.
A healthy breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping meals is bad for your body and it is important to stick to regular meal times as it helps the body process food better. Healthy food such as cereal and fruit is full of nutrients which help give you energy. This is especially important for children and teenagers, as their bodies are growing and developing the most at this stage. Indeed, “Many studies have also shown that regular breakfast consumption results in children performing better at school, compared to those children who don’t eat breakfast.” (nutrition.org.uk)
What are nutrients?
Nutrients are chemicals which are absorbed by the body and help nourish it, by providing energy and helping the metabolism grow. They contribute to repairing the body and regulating its processes.
Nutrients that provide energyCarbohydrates - these can be found in rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes.
Protein – this is found in beans, peas, nuts, bread, and cereals.
Fats and oils – these are mostly found in meat / Nutrients that help the metabolism grow
Vitamins - these are mainly found in fruit and vegetables
Minerals - there are different types of minerals: iron meat, egg yolks) and calcium, found (milk and hard cheese).
Water, which helps the body absorb other nutrients.
5 a day
It is important to consume a certain amount of fruit and vegetables every day, as these provide nutrients which are necessary to your diet. Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables helps you keep an eye on how much you’ve eaten and encourages you to vary your intake, as different fruit and vegetables provide different nutrients!
What can you do?
Get involved
In promoting Big Breakfast events, Family Lives wishes to promote healthy lifestyles in conjunction with a positive family atmosphere. You can take part by hosting a big breakfast near you. Dedicate the week to the theme of healthy, nutritional and family-friendly breakfasts. There are loads of ways and places you can hold your breakfast, and incorporate it into other events. The event will be perfect to help raise funds for Family Lives as well as spreading the values of eating a healthy breakfast.
At school
Hold a breakfast themed sports day: egg and spoon race, cereal box race, the list is endless!
Have a cultural day: everybody brings in breakfast dishes from a different country.
Incorporate the theme into your lessons: breakfast through the ages for history, breakfast themed poems for English; make posters for the big day, or get even more creative by making papier maché breakfasts or a still life drawing for arts and crafts.
Breakfast mufti day: fancy dress to the theme of breakfast - donate to participate and hold forfeits or competitions to make for an extra bit of fun!
At home
Host your Big Breakfast at home! Where better than a familiar environment to host the event? There are no extra charges and you already have a kitchen at hand.
Children can hold a pledge to make mum and dad breakfast for a week. Get friends to sponsor you. Get creative! Why not add a small gift for each breakfast, or bring them breakfast in bed?
Designate it a family breakfast week. Make sure you all eat breakfast together that week, and set up a healthy food rule.
All eat breakfast together that week, and set up a healthy food rule.
Step by step
Set a date
When will you hold your event? Are there any special days at your school that could coincide, such as a mufti day? Could you do something during half term?
Find a venue
Hold the event at your school or team up with a local sports club to use their facilities. Alternatively, think of more exotic places to hold the event-your local aquarium or a favourite café. And remember, there’s no place like home.
Send out your invitations
Make sure you have plenty of guests. Invite the whole class, and tell them to bring THEIR friends and family. Before you know it, the world and his wife will be showing up at your door.
Why not…
Think about setting dates or time limits in the weeks/months leading up to your event.
· 2 months to go - start planning.
· 1 month to go - launch a competition in your school? Get everybody in the class to invent a recipe. Or, compete between classes, with prizes going to best sounding breakfast, most original or most creative breakfast.
· 1 week to go - hold a lesson or assembly about the importance of healthy eating and a nutritious breakfast.. Visit our website to download your lesson plan.
Just giving
Friends and family can sponsor you through the Just Giving website. All you need to do is make an online page, and e-mail it to your friends and family. They can also search for your name and event on the website. Whatever they donate goes straight to Family Lives. Go to http://www.justgiving.com/familylives or http://www.justgiving.com/bullyinguk now to set up your page.
Important links
· http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/change-for-life.aspx
· http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Goodfood/Pages/Goodfoodhome.aspx
· http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/prevention/healthy-eating.aspx
· http://www.nutrition.org.uk
Why your help is so important
By raising funds for Family Lives, you are helping us expand the support available and ensure that we reach the most vulnerable families. The Family Lives group holds two key charities: Family Lives and Bullying UK. Both are focused on providing support services to parents, children, teachers and youth organisations.
Family Lives keeps a family helpline running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It also provides support though e-mail, live chat and support groups. A donation can keep the helpline free and accessible, and also help run parenting sessions for those who need extended support on specific family issues, support frontline workers and professionals. It will ensure websites are up to date with essential advice and information about family life.
Every year Bullying UK supports more than 500,000 people. 300,000 of those are young people desperate for advice to help them cope with bullying and get it stopped. Giving practical information and advice to young people and their parents through their helpline, website and by email, they also work with schools, youth organisations, police forces and health trusts, run workshops and speak at conferences