But I'm Not Hungry!

What is a parent to do if her child doesn't have an appetite early in the day? "Don't let kids get away with not eating. Even small is good," says Hangen.

"Consider if your child is a morning person or a night person," she says. "A lot of times the morning person tends to be more hungry than the night owls." She adds that people who consume most of their calories late in the day may not want to eat much in the morning. If this is the case with your child, Hangen recommends spreading his calories more evenly out throughout the day.

Kids don't need a huge breakfast to get a good start, either. Hangen recommends half a sports bar for young kids (although not more than one a day because their vitamin and mineral content is formulated for adults) or even a glass of milk, which supplies carbohydrates, protein and some fat if the milk is one percent. The protein, says Hangen, provides a prolonged sense of satiety, or feeling of fullness, throughout the morning.

Vary the Breakfast Choices

If your kids just seem uninterested in what is served, try getting creative. Breakfast doesn't have to be boring! Following are some suggestions for kid-pleasing morning meals; yet this list is just a start. Use your imagination and ask your child for her opinion on what makes a good breakfast, too!

• A childhood favorite, peanut butter is a versatile morning food. Spread on top of whole wheat toast or an English muffin, serve it up with bananas in a sandwich, or eat it on apple slices. Of course nothing goes with peanut butter like a glass of cold milk!
• Try a morning parfait simply by layering granola, yogurt and fruit.
• Got leftovers? Serve leftover pizza, soup, pasta or even casserole if it's what your child will eat. Add a small piece of fruit and/or some milk, too.
• Offer light breakfast eaters low fat cheese, fruit and whole wheat crackers.
• Whether scrambled, hard boiled or "fried" in a non-stick skillet, eggs are a great breakfast protein and are yummy paired with toast or a piece of fresh fruit.
• Check cookbooks or the Internet for a heart-healthy muffin recipe low in fat and higher in fiber. Many muffins freeze well and can be popped in the microwave for a quick meal.
• Oatmeal is especially filling on cold mornings. Serve it up with sliced fruit inside, sprinkled with cinnamon, or with a bit of maple syrup or applesauce stirred in.
• Cottage cheese or yogurt goes well with fresh fruit and half a bagel or a fruit-filled breakfast bar.