Is giving a kid ice cream for breakfast any different than a sugary bowl of cereal with milk?

Yes, the cereals although having a lot of sugar normally have other vitamins and minerals in it. Cereal is always better for you, regardless of sugar amount, due to this fact.

~thranax~

It depends on how you look at it I guess. Some cereals have a a lot of vitamins and minerals that ice cream does not have. Either way they are getting at least a serving of calcium. And either way they are getting a good dose of sugar. As long their overall diet is high in fruits, vegetables,and protein it shouldn't be a problem. I have a child who would gladly eat ice cream for every meal. While I cannot allow him to do that I do allow him to eat it for breakfast every once in awhile.