This Is What Kids Eat For Breakfast Around The World

Related Articles

Kids breakfast ideas from around the world!

“Americans tend to lack imagination when it comes to breakfast,” begins Malia Wollan in an article that appeared on New York Times last week. Her observation is based on a series of photographs taken by American born Hannah Whitaker, who recently visited with families in seven countries, to photograph sleepy eyed kids peering out over their breakfasts plates containing meals ranging from cold cereals to ham-and-cheese rolls to boiled potatoes.

Cornflakes and chocolate milk, are universal, but in many places children also eat things that would strike the average American as strange, or worse. How does rice and putrid soybean goop, or sour milk, for instance, sound? Or steamed cake made from fermented lentils and rice, a popular breakfast meal in southern India. In countries of Latin America, young children often take coffee with milk in the mornings. “The idea that children should have bland, sweet food is a very industrial presumption,” observes Krishnendu Ray, a professor of food studies at New York University who grew up in India. “In many parts of the world, breakfast is tepid, sour, fermented and savory.”

Hannah Whitaker photo series supplements the work done, on similar vein, by artists such as Peter Menzel (Hungry Planet and What People Eat Around the World), Gabriele Galimberti (Toy Stories) and James Mollison (Where Children Sleep).

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Doga Gunce Gursoy, 8 years, Istanbul. Her Saturday morning spread is quite elaborate. It includes honey and clotted cream, called kaymak, on toasted bread; green and black olives; fried eggs with a spicy sausage called sucuk; butter; hard-boiled eggs; thick grape syrup (pekmez) with tahini on top; an assortment of sheep-, goat- and cow-milk cheeses; quince and blackberry jams; pastries and bread; tomatoes, cucumbers, white radishes and other fresh vegetables; kahvaltilik biber salcasi, a paste made of grilled red peppers; hazelnut-flavored halvah, the dense dessert; milk and orange juice.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Nathanaël Witschi Picard, 6 years old, Paris. His weekday breakfast consists of a single kiwi; tartine, an open-faced baguette with butter and blackberry jam; cold cereal with milk; and freshly squeezed orange juice.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Saki Suzuki, 2 ¾ years old, Tokyo. Her breakfast consist of a fermented soybean dish called natto, white rice, miso soup, kabocha squash simmered in soy sauce and sweet sake (kabocha no nimono), pickled cucumber, rolled egg omelet (tamagoyaki) and grilled salmon.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Emily Kathumba, 7 years old, Chitedze, Malawi. Emily eats cornmeal porridge called phala with soy and groundnut flour; deep-fried fritters made of cornmeal, onions, garlic and chiles, along with boiled sweet potato and pumpkin; and a dark red juice made from dried hibiscus flowers and sugar. When she can, Emily likes to drink sweet black tea in the mornings, a common beverage for Malawian children.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Birta Gudrun Brynjarsdottir, 3 ½ years old, Reykjavik, Iceland. Birta’s oatmeal porridge called hafragrautur, a staple breakfast in Iceland,  is cooked in water or milk and often served with brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, fruit or surmjolk (sour milk). Birta also takes a swig of lysi, or cod-liver oil rich in vitamin D, to compensate for the lack of sunlight during winter.

 

Also Read: 27 Photos Of Children From Around The World Playing Outside. This Is Absolutely Beautiful

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Viv Bourdrez, 5 years old, Amsterdam. For Viv, breakfast is a glass of milk with bread, unsalted butter and sweet sprinkles, which come in multiple flavors (chocolate, vanilla, fruit) and sizes (small, large, shavings). A government-run website promoting tourism boasts that every day the Dutch eat at least 750,000 slices of bread topped with the chocolate sprinkles called hagelslag (‘‘hailstorm’’), making it the country’s most popular bread topping.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Aricia Domenica Ferreira, 4 years old, and Hakim Jorge Ferreira Gomes, 2 years old, São Paulo, Brazil.

Aricia’s pink sippy cup is full of chocolate milk, but her brother Hakim’s cup contains coffee. For many Brazilian parents, coffee for kids is a cultural tradition, they believe helps their children concentrate in school. Brother and sister are eating ham and cheese as well as pão com manteiga, bread with butter.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Phillip Kamtengo, 4 years old, and Shelleen Kamtengo, 4 years old, Chitedze, Malawi

Phillip and his twin sister, Shelleen, start their day with a sweet, cornbread-like cake called chikondamoyo, cooked in an aluminum pot over a fire. Breakfast for the Kamtengo twins and their older siblings also includes boiled potatoes and black tea with a heaping spoonful or two of sugar.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Koki Hayashi, 4 years old, Tokyo. Koki eats green peppers stir-fried with tiny dried fish, soy sauce and sesame seeds; raw egg mixed with soy sauce and poured over hot rice; kinpira, a dish of lotus and burdock roots and carrots sautéed with sesame-seed oil, soy sauce and a sweet rice wine called mirin; miso soup; grapes; sliced Asian pear; and milk.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Oyku Ozarslan, 9 years old, Istanbul. She eats brown bread, supplemented with green and black olives, Nutella spread, sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, strawberry jam, butter soaked in honey and an assortment of Turkish cheeses: among them, a crumbly, feta-like cheese called ezine peyniri; eski kasar, an aged, cow’s milk cheese; and tulum peyniri, a variety of cheese made of goat’s milk that was traditionally aged in a goatskin casing.

 

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Food, kids breakfast, what people eat, meal across world

Tiago Bueno Young, 3 years old, São Paulo, Brazil. Here, Tiago, sits before cornflakes, banana cake and bisnaguinha, a sweet white bread popular with Brazilian children and served with a mild cream cheese called requeijão.

What are some examples of traditional breakfast meals for children from different countries?

Traditional breakfast meals for children from different countries include a variety of dishes. For example, in Istanbul, children enjoy an elaborate spread consisting of honey and clotted cream on toasted bread, olives, fried eggs with spicy sausage, grape syrup with tahini, an assortment of cheeses, jams, pastries, and fresh vegetables. In Paris, a typical weekday breakfast for a child might include a kiwi, tartine (an open-faced baguette with butter and blackberry jam), cold cereal with milk, and freshly squeezed orange juice. These examples showcase the diversity of breakfast options around the world.

How does breakfast for children in various cultures differ from the typical American breakfast?

Breakfast for children in various cultures differs from the typical American breakfast in terms of ingredients, flavors, and culinary traditions. While American breakfast often leans towards sweet and processed foods like cold cereals and pastries, children in other countries may have savory, fermented, or sour dishes. This highlights the different cultural perspectives on breakfast, emphasizing the importance of a varied and balanced approach to the first meal of the day.

What are some unique and unconventional ingredients used in breakfast dishes for kids around the world?

Breakfast dishes for kids around the world can incorporate unique and unconventional ingredients. For instance, in Tokyo, a child might have green peppers stir-fried with dried fish, raw egg mixed with soy sauce over hot rice, lotus and burdock roots sautéed with sesame-seed oil, and miso soup. These ingredients may seem unfamiliar or unusual to some, but they reflect the local flavors and traditional culinary practices of different regions.

Why do Brazilian parents believe coffee helps their children concentrate in school?

Brazilian parents believe that giving coffee to their children is a cultural tradition that helps them concentrate in school. While it may seem surprising, coffee is seen as a way to enhance focus and mental alertness. However, it’s important to note that the effects of caffeine on children can vary, and moderation is crucial when considering caffeine consumption for young individuals.

What are some common breakfast beverages consumed by children in different countries?

Children in different countries have various breakfast beverage preferences. In Latin America, it’s common for young children to have coffee with milk in the mornings, as seen in Brazil where one child has coffee in their cup. Other beverages include freshly squeezed orange juice, milk, sweet black tea, and even chocolate milk, which is enjoyed universally by kids worldwide.

How does the cultural background influence the breakfast choices for kids?

Breakfast choices for kids are influenced by their cultural background, which shapes their culinary traditions, taste preferences, and food availability. Cultural practices and beliefs surrounding breakfast play a significant role in determining the types of foods served and the overall dining experience for children. These cultural influences contribute to the rich diversity of breakfast meals from around the world.

What are some cultural traditions or practices related to breakfast for children in different countries?

Cultural traditions related to breakfast for children can vary widely. For example, in Iceland, oatmeal porridge called hafragrautur is a staple breakfast, often served with brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, fruit, or sour milk. In Turkey, breakfast includes a variety of cheeses, olives, and spreads, reflecting the country’s culinary heritage. These traditions highlight the significance of breakfast as a time for families to come together and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Are there any health considerations or nutritional benefits associated with the breakfast meals mentioned?

The breakfast meals mentioned in different cultures often incorporate a range of nutritious ingredients. For example, in Malawi, children have cornmeal porridge with soy and groundnut flour, deep-fried fritters made of cornmeal, and boiled sweet potato and pumpkin. These dishes provide essential nutrients and energy for growing children. Additionally, cultural practices such as fermented foods in Japan and sour milk in Iceland contribute to gut health and digestion.

How do children’s breakfast habits vary based on geography or climate?

Children’s breakfast habits can vary based on geography and climate. For instance, in countries with colder climates like Iceland, hearty and warm breakfasts are common to provide sustenance during the winter months. In contrast, countries with warmer climates may offer lighter and refreshing breakfast options that help combat the heat. Local ingredients and availability also play a role in shaping breakfast choices in different regions.

Can you provide more examples of traditional breakfast dishes for children and their cultural significance?

Traditional breakfast dishes for children hold cultural significance and reflect the culinary heritage of various countries. For example, in Brazil, serving ham and cheese along with pão com manteiga (bread with butter) is a cultural tradition enjoyed by many families. In Malawi, cornmeal-based dishes like phala and chikondamoyo are not only nutritious but also showcase the use of local ingredients. These examples highlight the importance of preserving culinary traditions and passing them down through generations.

HomeLifeLifestyleThis Is What Kids Eat For Breakfast Around The World