When it comes to providing great breakfast options for students, finding the perfect balance between convenience, nutrition, and taste is a top priority. Low-labor, healthy, and delicious cold breakfast options ensure you can easily cater to the discerning tastes of your students. With many products that offer 25% less sugar, including CACFP-eligible and gluten-free (GF) choices, you can meet the demands of nutrition requirements and dietary restrictions. Incorporating these solutions into your school meals program can both save you time and drive student participation.
One of the most valuable assets in any K-12 foodservice operation is time. That's where a variety of cold breakfast options can go a long way, allowing you to maximize efficiency and participation without compromising on quality. Ready-to-eat cereal, in particular, is the perfect example balancing both convenience and versatility. By offering familiar and beloved cereal brands that are regulation-ready, you can easily serve up excitement and meet nutrition requirements.
Cereal provides numerous health benefits that can positively impact student nutrition. According to expert research, kids who eat cereal are far more likely to meet the recommended total intake for both whole grain and dairy compared to kids who don’t eat cereal. They also benefit from significantly more vitamins and minerals in their diet, including iron, vitamin B, vitamin A, and vitamin D. This contributes to a higher intake of recommended food groups and a lower intake of less healthful foods and nutrients like refined grains, sodium, and saturated fat. Students who eat cereal are also less likely to skip breakfast, ensuring they have the nutrients and energy they need to learn and thrive.*
Additionally, yogurt is another cold breakfast option that offers a wealth of benefits. Not only do kids love its creamy taste, but yogurt consumption has been linked to several positive outcomes. Kids who eat yogurt are more likely to meet dairy recommendations, ensuring they receive the necessary calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth. In fact, yogurt is one of the top sources of vitamin D in kids’ diets, according to research.†
From restaurant-inspired recipes to grab-n-go, cold breakfast solutions can help you keep up with the latest trends in K-12 foodservice. Blenderless smoothies are an excellent way to generate excitement and ramp up participation in your school meals program. In addition to helping you create variety in your menu, 4 oz. of yogurt in smoothies credits as a meat alternative in all programs. Get inspired with our great resources for Yoplait® ParfaitPro™ recipe ideas.
Cold breakfast options from trusted brands kids know and love are a win-win solution for both you and your K-12 students. By choosing ready-to-eat cereal and yogurt, you can focus on what matters most – meeting kids’ nutritional needs and setting them up for success at school. With time on your side and happy, satisfied students, your school meals program will benefit from integrating cold breakfast solutions into your menu.
* Source: Smith, J.D., et al. Association between Ready-to-Eat Cereal Consumption and Nutrient Intake, Nutritional Adequacy, and Diet Quality among Infants, Toddlers, and Children in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2016. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1989. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11091989