3 popular breakfasts you should stop giving your kids and why

Breakfast, as the first meal of the day, should be rich and healthy. It is always said to have breakfast like a king, and even experts feel that skipping breakfast is not a healthy practice. As per nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, skipping breakfast is not a healthy practice. It often leads to consuming more calories later in the day. And when it comes to breakfast for kids or children it is even more crucial. It is said that a child’s day begins with breakfast, and the way we start it defines their energy, emotions, and focus throughout the day. Ayurveda teaches that a warm, freshly cooked meal in the morning strengthens the digestive fire (agni), balances the doshas, and nurtures the child’s growing mind and body. Yet, convenience has replaced nourishment in many homes. We rush to pour a bowl of packaged cereal, toast bread, or boil quick oats, without realizing that these options may be silently harming our children, states Dimple Jangda, a wellness and nutrition expert. In a recent reel on Instagram, she explained why these 3 easy breakfasts should never be served to kids and what is the easiest and healthiest alternative.

As per Dimple, while it is very easy to be converted into a porridge and feed your children, remember, oats are notorious for mold toxicity during storage and transportation, and this mold can lead to release of mycotoxins, aflatoxins, which impact the kidney and liver. If it has not got mold, it definitely has high levels of glyphosate, which is an herbicide that has been sprayed on to give it a long shelf life. This herbicide enters our gut bloodstream and causes serious damage to our gut.

In her list, next is packaged cereal. Warning against the packaged cereals she states that never give your children packaged cereals. It's tempting to just give them a bowl of cereals with some milk but this has actually been banned in Japan and many other countries that have realized that cereals are loaded with preservatives, simple sugars, additives, fillers and coloring agents which will impact your child's mental health, emotional health, neurological health and physical health in the long run. Remember, if it can survive on the shelf for six months these preservatives can survive in your gut also for six months.

And the third one on her list is bread. As per her post, commercial bread that's available in the market again has been made with a lot of preservatives, fillers and other agents. It's completely devoid of any nutritional benefits. It's very easy to make a sandwich for your child. You think you're giving some good vegetables and making up for that lack of fiber in the bread? It's the exact opposite. Bread can survive on the shelf for several days. It's made of refined flour which is linked with leaky gut syndrome. It gets stuck to your gut for several days, rotting, putrefying, releasing gases leading to sugar spikes, obesity, diabetes, cholesterol and such symptoms. It's best to give your child a warm breakfast that is freshly made in the morning.

She suggests making breakfast a sacred ritual of nourishment and love. Prepare a simple porridge from wholesome millets like barnyard, kodo, foxtail, little millet, or finger millet — each rich in minerals, fiber, and pranic energy. Add jaggery for sweetness or vegetables for a savory touch. Serve it warm, fresh, and mindfully. Warm food carries life-force energy that feels like a mother’s hug, calming the child’s mind and strengthening immunity. Remember, breakfast isn’t just food — it’s a blessing that sets the tone for your child’s health and happiness.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article—is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.