School has started or is about to start for many parents and kids.

Nutrition and a healthy breakfast are vital to successful days and alert kids AND parents!  Here are a few great tips and links for keeping on top of the nutrition game!

· Stock the fridge.  Buy healthy single-serving items, such as low-fat string cheese, yogurt, bananas, instant oatmeal, cottage cheese, and cartons of 100 percent juice.  Having these items makes a morning meal easier to assemble.

· Cover the food pyramid. For balance, fill your lunch bag with choices from three of the five food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat/beans). For extra daily tips on health and nutrition!  Follow My Pyramid on Twitter

• Get custom food pyramids by ages and learn more about the new food pyramid on MyPyramid

· Choose foods carefully.   Read labels on breakfast and energy bars.  Many are very high in sugar and not as healthy as they appear. For your morning OJ, make sure it is 100 percent fruit juice instead of fruit “drinks” which may contain very little fruit juice and lots of added sugar.

· Stay on your own schedule. Not hungry early in the morning? Remember you don’t have to eat your brown bag breakfast right when you get to school or work.   A healthy meal fuels the mind and body so just squeeze it in before lunchtime.

· Be creative. If the typical morning fare doesn’t tempt your taste buds, opt for healthy non-traditional breakfast foods. Take some leftovers or grab a whole wheat dinner roll from last night and spread it with peanut butter.

• There’s nothing wrong with having a slice of deli-turkey or ham wrapped around a slice of cheese and a granny smith apple for breakfast.  If that’s what appeals to you, follow your body’s instincts.

· Prepare with packaging.  Avoid scrambling for a way to carry your breakfast. Keep brown bags, plastic baggies and Tupperware on hand in your kitchen.

• Have pre-portioned veggies, fruits, and cereal on hand for quick grabs on the way out the door.  It’ll prevent you from grabbing that bag of doughnuts or sugary pastry, that’ll just leave you feeling bad later.

Thanks to MyPyramid.Gov for the image and to Elizabeth Ward, USA Today’s nutrition blogger, for her expert tips on easy ways to squeeze in breakfast