ع
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has outlined recommendations for parents as the academic year gets underway according to its published guidelines. Breakfast should supply children with the energy and nutrients required for physical activity, learning and overall development. The authority noted that including fruits and vegetables in morning meals diversifies the diet and delivers vital vitamins, minerals and fiber. Such practices contribute to healthy growth during the critical school years.
The guidelines specify that an ideal breakfast incorporates milk or other dairy products along with grains that are preferably whole. A source of protein should feature in the meal, complemented by fruits or vegetables and only a moderate quantity of fat. These components work together to sustain energy levels and support cognitive functions throughout the school day the SFDA assessment found.
Research conducted in Saudi Arabia indicates widespread breakfast skipping among young students. A 2020 study by Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa and colleagues published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity determined that more than 79 percent of primary-school children skipped breakfast daily with little difference between boys and girls. Private school students showed slightly better habits than those in public institutions the data revealed.
The Ministry of Health has similarly pointed to multiple advantages of regular breakfast consumption for school-aged children. Breakfast consumption increases concentration and comprehension leading to better academic outcomes according to ministry educational materials. It also helps regulate body weight and provides essential nutrients that might otherwise be missed later in the day.
The SFDA has pursued broader initiatives to promote healthy eating patterns across the population through its Healthy Food Strategy launched in 2018. That strategy included educational campaigns aimed at consumers and collaborations with food establishments to encourage balanced meals a government review showed. Such efforts align with the current focus on school nutrition as millions of students return to classrooms.
Additional research from Makkah has linked regular breakfast intake to improved academic performance among sixth-grade boys. A study published in August 2026 found that students who ate breakfast regularly tended to achieve higher grades than those who did not with many participants recognizing the connection between morning nutrition and school success. These findings reinforce the authority’s call for consistent breakfast routines.
