Back to school breakfast recipes

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As kids get ready to return to school it's a good time for a reminder on the importance of a healthy breakfast. Research shows that kids who eat a morning meal have better memory, attention and behavior, and score higher on tests.

Registered dietician Robin Brown joined us from the Midwest Dairy Council with more.

Great American Milk Drive:

You can make milk available to families in need by donating to the Great American Milk Drive by texting "Milk" to 27722 or visiting www.milklife.com/give.

RECIPES:

Cinnamon cereal smoothie

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Cinnamon Chex cereal

1 cup fat-free milk

1 container (6 oz.) Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy cinnamon roll or French vanilla yogurt

Preparation:

In blender, place all ingredients. Cover: blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth, stopping blender once to scrape sides. Pour into two glasses. Serve immediately. Yoplait is a registered trademark of YOPLAIT MARQUES (France) used under license.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving:

Calories: 170

Total Fat: 2.5g

Saturated Fat: 1g

Cholesterol: 5mg

Sodium: 140mg

Carbohydrates: 31g

Dietary Fiber: 0g

Protein: 7g

Calcium: 35 percent Daily Value

Rainbow fruit and cheese kabobs

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

6 (8-inch or longer) straws

6 ounces Monterey cheese, cut into 18 cubes

1/2 cup strawberry halves

1/2 cup cantaloupe, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1/2 cup pineapple, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1 kiwifruit, peeled and cut into 6 pieces

6 purple grapes

Preparation:

To make a rainbow for each "kabob," thread onto a straw a piece of cheese, a strawberry halve, a cantaloupe cube, a pineapple cube, another piece of cheese, a piece of kiwi, two blueberries, a grape and another piece of cheese. Repeat pattern with remaining straws.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving:

Calories: 135

Total Fat: 9g

Saturated Fat: 5g

Cholesterol: 25mg

Sodium: 135mg

Carbohydrates: 8g

Dietary Fiber: 1g

Protein: 7g

Calcium: 22 percent Daily Value

Easy to please breakfast yogurt parfait

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup crunchy low-fat cereal or granola divided

1/2 cup fresh fruit, sliced (i.e. strawberries, blueberries, bananas)

Preparation:

To assemble parfait, begin with spooning half of the yogurt in the bottom of a bowl or tall glass. Add 2 tablespoons cereal and 1/2 cup fruit. Spoon on the rest of the yogurt. Top with remaining 2 tablespoons of cereal.

Substitution Idea

Use any favorite flavor of yogurt as a base. You can also substitute canned fruit (drained) for fresh fruit.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving

(anaylsis accounts for strawberries)

Calories: 408

Total Fat: 5g

Saturated Fat: 2g

Cholesterol: 12mg

Sodium: 276mg

Carbohydrates: 75g

Dietary Fiber: 5g

Protein: 16.5g

Calcium: 45 percent Daily Value