For years, Margie's husband had insisted that their daughter Amy needed a nutritious breakfast. Margie didn't eat breakfast herself and didn't believe Amy was being nutritionally deprived, so she wasn't moved to comply with his wishes. Her husband fixed breakfast for the three of them when he was in town on weekends, but on school days Amy had a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice if she was hungry.

Then Margie read a report about the importance of eating breakfast. It said that students who began the school day with a wholesome breakfast had been found to have fewer behavior problems and to make better grades. Amy was an excellent student who was popular with her peers and teachers, but Margie decided it might be best to pay more attention to Amy's diet after all. Since the food served in the cafeteria was heavy on starch and grease and light on fresh vegetables, she began packing a lunch for her, too.

Given that Amy was already doing so well, Margie didn't expect to notice much of a difference. She was surprised when Amy began arriving home after school upbeat and energetic instead of tired and touchy. That's when the true importance of diet began to sink in. Amy has been eating breakfast and carrying a lunch ever since.