Low Income Breakfast Meals for Children

Eating a well-balanced breakfast leads to an increased ability in students' ability to concentrate, memorize, retain information and understand material, reported Allison Aubrey in 2006 on National Public Radio. In short, eating breakfast helps children learn and provides energy by providing "brain fuel." You can achieve all these benefits from eating a meal that costs less than a few dollars per day; the reward is huge when compared to the small investment.

Oatmeal

• Quick-cooking or steel-cut oatmeal is a bargain when you consider the nutrition it offers. What's more, buying unflavored oatmeal instead of sweet instant oatmeal packets offers more fiber along with less cost. Soluble fiber means that even a small amount will keep a child feeling full longer than sugary snacks, and a large container of instant oatmeal is available for just a couple of dollars, as of winter 2011. You can make your own custom oatmeal on a budget for your kids that is very similar to the fancy, customized oatmeal that comes in individual, microwaveable packets. Just add your own chopped fresh apples, brown sugar, raisins and cinnamon to instant oatmeal; approximately 1/2 cup equals one packet of purchased oatmeal. One box of oatmeal can last for approximately 15 or 20 servings. You can create your own maple and brown sugar, apple cinnamon, sweet apple oatmeal, cinnamon spice and apple-raisin cinnamon spice flavor varieties with low-cost oatmeal.

Breakfast Burritos & Pizza

• Breakfast burritos are chock-full of protein and taste, ideal for starting off a child's morning. With eggs costing around $.10 each, as of winter 2011, and a package of tortillas available for just dollars, you can customize the other ingredients for the burritos based on your budget. A container of salsa is relatively low-cost and can last for many breakfast burritos, while you can buy shredded cheese in bulk. When used in moderation, you can stretch it even further Season eggs with salt and pepper. You can make a breakfast pizza using the same ingredients by toasting a tortilla in the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes, adding an egg in the center and letting it cook through for 10 minutes at the same temperature. Topped with cheese and spinach or tomatoes and broccoli, an affordable breakfast pizza is ready in minutes.

Kolaches

• Originally from Central Europe, kolaches are pastries with a variety of fillings. All you need to make one is biscuit mix and any kind of affordable sweet or savory filling such as seasonal fruit or pie fillings, breakfast sausage or cheese. To make a kolache, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and divide the dough evenly into small portions. Fill the dough balls with the desired filling, and bake the dough according to biscuit recipe directions. Children can call them breakfast pies or pastries while they enjoy them.

Egg Quiches

• The key to keeping breakfast exciting is to change ingredients often to make dining more versatile. Quiches are a less work-intensive alternative to omelets or scrambled eggs, and you can store them conveniently in the refrigerator for a few days and quickly warm a slice in the microwave. To make a quiche, you can use up ANY vegetable, meat or cheese that is on sale while combining them with the ever-affordable egg. Whisk 5 eggs with 2 to 3 egg whites and 3/4-cup milk. Stir in any of the desired additions, then pour into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 to 30 minutes. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for later use.