It is time for breakfast, but there is no time. Or, children are running late to school. But, stomachs are rumbling. Stopping at a drive-thru window or a convenience store seems to be a quick fix. Some people believe the idea of “something to eat is better than nothing” is good. If a child eats a muffin, donut, potato chips, or a candy bar for breakfast, at least the child ate something. Adults may be doing the same thing as the children. They may be choosing foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar.

    The problem is, not all food is good for you. Foods high in fats, sugar, and salt (sodium) are not the best to eat very often. These types of foods tend to have little or no vitamins and minerals. This is also known as “empty calories.” For example, eating foods high in sugar and fat may cause you to gain weight. This may lead to type-2 diabetes.  Eating foods high in sodium may not be a good idea if you have high blood pressure.

    Making little changes can make a big difference to your health. If the convenience store does not sell fruit, stop at a grocery store instead. Grab an apple, banana, and orange. With a few seconds to spare, go to the milk section and buy a cup of yogurt or low-fat string cheese. Like for many people, there is no time for breakfast. A simple answer to this problem is to plan ahead. Pack a plastic bag of dry cereal. Have fruits ready on the go. This way, at least “something is better than nothing at all!” Start the day by eating healthy foods.

Crystal L. Nguyen, M.A. is a Health Educator with UCSD Nutrition Link, an elementary school nutrition education program. Nutrition Link is funded by USDA’s Food Stamp Program through the California Department of Public Health. These institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers.