by Sue A. James, MS, RD, LDN

If you're a kid who has just gotta grab some food the minute you get home from school, you are not alone. There are many reasons for feeling hungry once school is over. One of the biggest reasons for getting hungry after school is skipping breakfast. Everyone does it, but they shouldn't. There's little time between waking up and catching the school bus, and breakfast is often forgotten. Most kids would rather sleep than eat in the morning. Don't let this happen too often. Skipping out on a decent breakfast causes extra hunger during the school day. When anyone gets too hungry they often eat more. Missing meals, especially breakfast, causes overeating and more snacking. It's easy to gain weight if you are eating too many snacks after school.

Here are some quick and easy breakfast suggestions:

-  Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich with Skim Milk

-  Carnation Instant Breakfast in Skim Milk, Banana

-  1 Ham & Cheese Bagel Sandwich, Orange

-  Granola Bar with Low Fat Chocolate Milk, Apple

-  Strawberry Smoothie (milk or yogurt blended with strawberries)

-  String Cheese and Wheat Crackers, Pear

-  Cheese Pizza (1 slice), Grapes

Take a minute and try to eat something before school. It doesn't even have to be regular breakfast foods. Eat food that provides energy for the day. Choose whole grains, low fat or skim milk, and fresh fruit for a nutrient boost before school.