United States Department of Agriculture

6TH GRADE | INFORMATIONAL TEXT 

Breakfast Around the World

Everyone has a different routine in the
morning. Some jump up out of bed quickly;
Vocabulary
others press snooze a few times. Some walk Breakfast is words are
their dogs, others watch TV or scan social in bold and
an important meal. underlined
media to find out what is happening in A balanced, nutritious
the world. Some sit down to eat breakfast
breakfast can help you:
by themselves or with their family; others
may wait to eat until they get to school or  Have energy (which allows
work. What’s the first thing you do when you to move and be active)
you wake up in the morning? What is your  Concentrate in class
morning routine like?
(it’s hard to pay attention
Most countries around the world have when you’re hungry!)
breakfast customs. In the United States,
people eat a wide variety of breakfast foods
— from oatmeal to eggs to fruits — in
many different settings. No matter where Eat
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people eat, a good healthy meal is a smart sch ng bre
ool akf
to s
way to start the day. tart is a gr ast at
you eat w
r da a
y! y

School Breakfast Program

In the United States, the USDA
School Breakfast Program offers
breakfast to millions of children
every day. School breakfasts are a
great way to get a balanced meal.

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Food and Nutrition Service
6TH GRADE | INFORMATIONAL TEXT 

Eating a Balanced Breakfast

MyPlate shows the food groups that are building blocks
to a healthy eating style. Choose nutritious foods from
the food groups to build a balanced breakfast.

Make half of the

%
grains you eat
whole grains.
Start your day with
whole grains. Choose
grain that has whole Move to low-fat or
wheat or whole grain
+ fat-free dairy.
as the first ingredient.
+ Low-fat milk (1% or less) has
the same amount of calcium
and vitamin D as whole milk.

A balanced
+ breakfast is low in
Make half your plate
fruits and vegetables. + sodium, saturated
fat, refined grains,
Make a fruit smoothie, add A balanced
and added sugars.
veggies to your eggs, or top breakfast
your cereal with berries or Sugary foods may make
contains at you feel energized for a
bananas. Many kids in the
United States do not eat
least three brief moment, but it won't
enough fruits and vegetables.1 of the five last long. Plus you may not
Breakfast provides a way to food groups. get the nutrients you need
include more of these foods in to be your best.
your routine.

–
There are many ways to create a balanced breakfast
that is nutritious and includes foods you love. Have you
ever wondered what people your age in other places eat
to start their days? Read on to learn about some of the
breakfasts eaten around the world.

1. “Progress on children eating more fruit, not vegetables.” CDC Vital Signs. National Center for Chronic Disease and
Prevention and Health Promotion. August 2014. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2014-08-vitalsigns.pdf.

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6TH GRADE | INFORMATIONAL TEXT 

Breakfasts From Around the World

People from cultures around the world eat breakfast. Breakfasts in other countries reflect cultural
traditions of the people that live there. You can eat a healthy breakfast that includes foods from the
food groups that reflect your traditions and tastes. Take a look at some breakfasts kids might eat in
other countries. Notice what food groups are included in these popular meals.

GREECE
spanakopita
CHINA
jook

COSTA RICA NIGERIA INDIA

gallo pinto akaraa idli

Food Groups Breakfast in Different Countries

China: A favorite breakfast in China is jook, a rice dish (Grains) topped

with greens and mushrooms (Vegetables) and tofu, and strips of meat or
egg (Protein Foods).2

Costa Rica: A typical breakfast in Costa Rica includes Gallo Pinto — a mix
of black beans (Vegetables and Protein Foods) with rice (Grains), spiced
with cumin, pepper, and garlic. It is usually served with eggs but sometimes
with chopped beef (Protein Foods) or plantains (Vegetables) as well. Gallo
Pinto is often accompanied by an assortment of fruits like pineapple,
watermelon, and papaya (Fruits).3

2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2007) Food-based dietary guidelines - China. Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/
food-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/china/en/
3. Mattei, J., Malik, V., Wedick, N. M., Hu, F. B., Spiegelman, D., Willett, W. C., et al. Global Nutrition Epidemiologic Transition Initiative. (2015). Reducing the global burden
of type 2 diabetes by improving the quality of staple foods: The Global Nutrition and Epidemiologic Transition Initiative. Globalization and Health, 11, 23. http://doi.

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 6TH GRADE | INFORMATIONAL TEXT 

Food Groups Breakfast in Different Countries

Greece: If you woke up in Greece tomorrow morning, your balanced
breakfast might consist of spanakopita (Grains, Vegetables, Dairy), a
tangy spinach pie made with feta cheese, and a small glass of fresh
orange juice (Fruits), as well as pancakes (Grains) with tahini, which is a
paste made from sesame seeds and honey. 4

India: In addition to geography, cultural values influence what people

eat for breakfast. The breakfast options in India are as diverse as its
1.2 billion people. In southern India, breakfast can include idli, a warm
patty made from fermented lentils (Protein Foods) and rice (Grains), and
different vegetable dishes like tomato chutney (Vegetables).5

Nigeria: Vegetables might seem like an uncommon choice for breakfast,

but they are often a part of the first meal of the day in Nigeria. Nigeria
is known for its root vegetables, like yam and cassava. Breakfast might
include yam porridge (Vegetables), rice (Grains), and akaraa, a bean cake
(Vegetables and Protein Foods).6

Conclusion
Breakfast plays an important role in giving people the energy they need to play and learn throughout
the day. There are many ways to eat a balanced breakfast. Don’t be afraid to explore other cultures
and try new foods in all of the five food groups as part of your breakfast routine.

VOCABULARY A
Culture: The beliefs, customs, arts, and ways of life of a particular group.
Custom: A way of behaving that is usual among the people in a particular group.
Refined Grains: Grains that have been milled, which removes the bran, germ, and
important nutrients. Examples include white flour, white bread, and white rice.
Saturated Fat: Fats that are usually solid at room temperature. The amount of
saturated fat in a food is shown on the Nutrition Facts Label, which is located on the
food package. Eating too much saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels and
increase the risk of heart disease.
Sodium: A mineral generally present in the form of salt (sodium chloride) that
your body needs in small amounts to work properly. However, when consumed in
excessive amounts, sodium may raise the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension).
Whole Grains: Grains that contain the entire grain kernel — the bran, germ, and
endosperm — and have more health benefits than refined grains.

org/10.1186/s12992-015-0109-9
4. Marketing Greece SA. (n.d.). Discover Greece. Retrieved from http://www.discovergreece.com/en/gastronomy/greek-breakfast
5. FAO. (2011) Food-based dietary guidelines - India. Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/india/en/
6. FAO. (2001) Food-based dietary guidelines - Nigeria. Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-based-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/nigeria/en/

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6TH GRADE | STUDENT ASSESSMENT 
United States Department of Agriculture

6TH GRADE | STUDENT ASSESSMENT 

Breakfast Around the World

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1. What is the theme or central idea of this article? Cite evidence from the article to support your answer.

2. What are three qualities of a balanced breakfast? Cite evidence from the article to support your answer.
1.

2.

3.

3. What are two benefits of eating a balanced breakfast? Cite evidence from the article to support your
answer.

1.

2.

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6TH GRADE | STUDENT ASSESSMENT 

4. Your friend is looking for ideas for balanced breakfasts. Create an example of a balanced breakfast using
MyPlate as a guide. Include foods from at least three food groups.

5. Your friend says they don’t like to eat breakfast. How would you convince them to try eating a balanced
breakfast?

6. What does the word “custom” mean in this sentence from page 1: “Most countries around the world have
breakfast customs”?

7. Which breakfast from around the world do you prefer? How could you include foods from this example in
your breakfasts in the future?

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6TH GRADE | STUDENT ASSESSMENT 

8. What does the word “culture” mean in this sentence from page 3: “People from cultures around the world
eat breakfast”?

9. A place’s culture affects what people eat there. Think about where you live or where your family is from.
Describe one food from your culture. Why is this food important in your culture?

Food and Nutrition Service • FNS-710 • September 2018 • USDA is an equal opportunity 7
provider, employer, and lender. • https://teamnutrition.usda.gov