Hamilton County School Nutrition Program offers breakfast in 66 of its 70 cafeterias. We are committed to improving the academic performance of students through providing nutritional meals at breakfast.

Why Eat Breakfast?

Research shows that breakfast helps students in many ways, including:

  • Increases energy. When you wake up from sleeping, your body is in "fasting mode". Since it hasn't eaten in several hours, it slows your body down because it doesn't have much fuel. Eating in the morning "breaks the fast"! You will feel more awake, have more energy, and feel better during the day1.
  • Improves grades. Students who eat breakfast earn higher scores on tests1-3. This is because you will have an increased attention span, better focus, less absences, and less behavior problems2,3. You can't just eat breakfast on test day! Eat breakfast every day so that you will learn the material better.
  • Supports healthier eating patterns. Students who eat breakfast at school have improved nutrition, eat more fruits, drink more milk, and consume a wider variety of foods than those who don't eat breakfast OR eat breakfast at home1,3.
  • Contributes to a healthy weight. People who eat breakfast tend to have a healthier weight1,3. This is because they feel full in the morning and do not overeat later1.

What Should I Eat for Breakfast?

Breakfast componentsThe best combination of nutrients at breakfast is carbohydrates for energy, mixed with protein to make you feel full. Milk is a great source of protein at breakfast and is available with every school breakfast. Each carton of milk contributes 1/4 of the protein a 9-13 year-old needs for the whole day!4 Here are some examples of other carbohydrate & protein combinations available at school:

  • Yogurt with Toast or Graham Crackers
  • Peanut Butter with Toast or Graham Crackers
  • Scrambled Eggs with Toast
  • Cereal with Milk
  • Omelet with Toast
  • Pancake with Sausage

You can review the breakfast menu at Menus & Prices.

Additional Resources

USDA Breakfast Pattern
What Makes a School Breakfast

References

(1) Fuel Up to Play 60. "Breakfast at School: Fast and Healthy Food for Thought".

(2) Food Research Action Center. "School Breakfast Program". 2010.

(3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nutrition for Everyone. 4 Oct 2012.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.