Celebrating Eating Better by Eating Together

October is National Eat Better, Eat Together Month. This theme was implemented by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in order to encourage making family meal time a priority. Studies show that family meals promote healthier meals and healthier lifestyles. When families eat together, they tend to eat more nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and fewer unhealthy foods, such as fried foods. Furthermore, when younger kids eat with their families, they are less likely to become overweight or obese. This is important since overweight and obese children are at increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and emotional problems later in life.

Family meals have additional benefits such as decreasing stress and tension at home, decreasing the likelihood of children becoming involved in reckless habits such as drugs and alcohol, and children being more likely to have better grades in school. Additionally, parents serve as role models to their children. Through social learning, people tend to copy the habits of those they spend a lot of time around. Therefore, if parents follow healthy food habits, then children will be more likely to copy those habits and continue them throughout life.

For example, studies show that children whose parents did not regularly drink soft drinks were much less likely to consume soft drinks than children whose parents drank soft drinks on a regular basis. Other research supporting the benefits of family meals suggests that the calcium intake of teenagers are higher in families with high family connectedness.

When I was younger, we always ate family dinners, even during the week. For me, now, it’s unfortunately not possible during the week due to mine and my husband’s work schedule. But we do have family meals together on Friday night and Saturday and the time we spend at the table goes way beyond eating. It’s a wonderful time to catch up on everyone’s week where we share stories and enjoy time together.

Here are some tips for making family mealtime happen:

– Plan meals around everyone’s busy schedules by choosing a time that is convenient for everyone

– On very busy days, make quick and easy meals so there is more time for conversation

– Shut cell phones or leave them in a different room, and keep the television off

– Family meals do not have to be centered around dinner; instead they can be breakfast or lunch dates on the weekends.

Family meals play an important role in keeping yourself and your family healthy. Therefore, it is vital to making family mealtime a priority.

Your turn to take action: How many family meals will you plan this week?