Nutritionist warns parents on importance of breakfast

Nutritionist warns parents on importance of breakfast

Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Dita, 10, eats breakfast every morning but this is largely due to
her mother who routinely prepares the meal for her.

"I have cereal and milk for breakfast, that's all," she said.

However, the Al-Azhar elementary school fourth year student is
not aware of the importance of the meal.

"I have no idea how breakfast can help me to understand my
lessons," she said.

Eight-year-old Nuel prefers to replace breakfast with a glass
of milk before school.

"I just drink milk. Occasionally I eat bread or noodles if I
want to," he said.

Nutritionist Rienanny Mahadi said at the Koko Olimpiade quiz
that many parents and children still do not realize the
importance of breakfast.

"Indonesians tend to skip breakfast as they think it's not
important but a nutritious breakfast helps children to
concentrate on their studies," she said.

"My survey recently revealed that children who have breakfast
before school can understand subjects better and faster than
those who skip breakfast," she added.

Marketing head for PT Nestle Indonesia Breakfast Cereal
division Suprijadi said that the company started to promote the
importance of a nutritious breakfast for children three years
ago.

"Parents serve breakfast every morning but sometimes they have
no idea what foods are appropriate for their children," he said.

"Children's breakfasts should be made up of carbohydrates,
protein, and calcium," he added.

The Koko Olimpiade quiz was participated in by 36 elementary
schools. Each school was represented by six of their best
students who competed in the areas of general knowledge,
Indonesian language, English and mathematics.