FOR THOUGHT FOOD; BACK TO SCHOOL 1 Brekkie helps kids to top of the class.

Byline: By MAEVE QUIGLEY

PARENTS should give their children a hearty breakfast and a nutritious lunch to help them concentrate in class.

Food expert Breda Gavin said if children are to improve their studies they must eat healthy meals.

She added: "Kids who miss out on their breakfast don't have any energy and find it difficult to concentrate by the time it gets to mid-morning.

"Children should be given food from the bottom of the food pyramid - a slow release carbohydrate such as Weetabix or brown bread first thing."

Breda said that having a nutritious lunch also helps children make the most of their day in class.

She added: "Lunch is a very important meal for kids. Parents need to ensure their children are eating one third of their food requirements for that day at lunch.

"So every lunchbox should contain two portions of slow-release carbohydrate, for example two slices of brown bread, one portion of fruit or pure fruit juice.

"It's very important that children have enough nutrition from their lunch so that they can work and play well all day."

Breda, who is a nutritionist for Kerry foods, said kids could benefit from so-called "good fats".

She explained it can be difficult to get children to eat oily fish but said there are fruit juices that offer Omega 3 which are much easier to take.

Breda added: "Research has shown Omega 3 is essential for the development of children's brains."

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JUICE THE THING: Some juices can provide healthy fat Omega 3