My six year old little girl never has an appetite for breakfast before school and trying to make her eat it is always a battle. However, she does get milk and fruit during the morning break and eats well throughout the rest of the day so is it really essential that she eats something first thing?

Although it can be a struggle to encourage young children to eat a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning it is important to preserve for a whole host of reasons. Firstly, breakfast kick starts the metabolism, boosts brainpower and concentration skills (recent studies proved that children who eat breakfast in the morning have superior cognitive function and therefore pay more attention and respond more quickly to problem solving tasks) and has even been shown to improve behaviour. A good nutritious breakfast makes an important contribution to a child's overall nutrient intake too helping to ensure a strong immune system and a healthy body.

Eating a breakfast cereal, which is low in fat and high in carbohydrate, such as porridge, weetabix, bran flakes, muesli or shredded wheat promotes the feeling of being full for longer so reducing mid-morning cravings for snacks and therefore can also play an important role in reducing the likelihood of obesity in children.

Despite all these benefits, getting children to eat breakfast can be a struggle but whatever you do don't try and cajole them into eating by offering gimmicky cereals that are high in sugars and salt. Instead, offer fresh fruit smoothies, home-made fruit muffins, porridge blended with a few berries to turn it an appetizing pink or sprinkled with a little drinking chocolate that children can stir in themselves.

For a super quick, oaty breakfast that many children love simply soak half a cup full of oats or oatmeal in a cup full of milk over night in the fridge. The next morning either heat through in a pan or microwave adding more milk if required and serve as it is with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and a spoonful of your child's favourite fruit. Eggy bread, dippy eggs or beans on toast are all good healthy breakfasts that most children enjoy. Alternatively, try readymade whole wheat pancakes topped with a little Greek yogurt, honey and chopped banana or berries or toast topped with peanut butter and a little low sugar, high fruit jam.

Coaxing children to eat as soon as they wake can make breakfast times tricky so try to make sure they wake in plenty of time before school - even administering an earlier bed time the night before if necessary. Finally, if all else fails, try making the delicious ‛on the go' breakfast bars. Good luck!

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