I am partnering with McDonald’s on their Wholesome Choices Blogger Program.  I have been sharing my own tips and ideas for making more wholesome choices in your every day life and have been making changes in my life as well.

These days when most households have working parents, and children are involved in a myriad of activities, it’s often easy for both children and adults to slip off to school or work without getting a proper breakfast–and even worse–no breakfast at all. The importance and benefits of getting a good wholesome breakfast should not be overlooked; and with a little forethought it may not be as difficult as some might think.

It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and there are facts which back up this claim. Studies have shown that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school, have a lower body mass index and are more healthy overall. It only makes sense that after sleeping eight to ten hours, the body needs to refuel. A good breakfast not only provides energy but helps make for better concentration. Many teens skip breakfast because they think it will help them lost weight but in reality, skipping breakfast causes kids to feel overly hungry later and they often make up for the skipped meal by eating the wrong kinds of food. Common breakfast foods–that is the healthy kind–contain some very important nutrients, such as fiber, calcium and vitamin D that are often missing from other meals.

Getting children to eat a healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated. Oatmeal with fresh fruit provides a very healthy breakfast. No time to make oatmeal? Try stopping at McDonald’s to pick up a bowl of Fruit & Maple Oatmeal or mix some fresh fruit in bowl fat-free Greek yogurt.  McDonald’s offers a variety of whole-grain oatmeal choices on its breakfast menu, available all day. The Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and the Apple Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal are both 100% natural whole grain oats, rich in fiber and freshly prepared for you.  A bagel with cream cheese, or a smoothie made with yogurt, fruit and oatmeal are other great ideas. All these options offer a nutritional breakfast that should satisfy hunger until it’s time for lunch. Stopping at a drive-through on the way to school may not be as bad as one might think. Fast food breakfasts that contain whole grains and/or eggs can be a great source of vitamin D and protein.

Next time you’re tempted to let your child skip breakfast, remember, your child deserves a healthy start to a busy day. Getting a good breakfast is a great beginning!

Follow McDonald’s Atlanta on Twitter @McDonaldsATL and check out their website for real-time promos, meal ideas and how to make the most of your McDonald’s experience.

Disclosure: McDonald’s partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Wholesome Choices” Blogger Program.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. McDonald’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.