With school set to begin for another year on Tuesday, parents and children will be making some last minute preparations this weekend.

One of those preparations will be preparing meals for students returning to school.

Jolene Rommelaere a dietitian with the Cypress Health Region notes the most important meal for students happens before they leave for school.

"We know breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it fuels the brain," she said. "60 percent of learning happens before lunch, so be a good role model and eat breakfast yourself."

Rommelaere says whole grain cereal, whole grain muffins, hard boiled eggs and fresh fruit are the ideal breakfast foods to start your day right.

For lunches, it's important to include at least three of the four food groups from the Canadian Food Guide, while trying to avoid juice boxes that contain high levels of sugar, desserts and fruit gummies.

"Having some protein from the meat and alternatives group, some veggies and fruits and of course grains which will give them the energy they need throughout the day," she said.

Rommelaere also noted it's important to involve your children when packing a lunch.

"A lot of kids go to school hungry," she added. "We know when kids are hungry and they don't have adequate nourishment - behaviour, concentration and academic performance is inhibited. Even things like play, social skills, self-confidence for kids is affected when they don't have the right nutrients and a well-balanced lunch and breakfast."