A Family That Eats Together Stays Together

As Family Meals Month is celebrated in August, take the time to think of the last time your whole family was together at the dinner table.  It can be tough with sports, tutors, and crazy work schedules to round up the troops for a meal.  However, taking the time to eat with your family will be of great benefit to both you and your children.

Communication and Well-Being

Conversations during the meal provide opportunities for the family to bond, plan, connect, and learn from one another.  It’s a chance to share information and news of the day, as well as give extra attention to your children.  Family meals foster warmth, security and love, as well as feelings of belonging.  It can be a unifying experience for all.

Expand Their World… One food At a Time

Encourage your children to try new foods, without forcing or bribing. Introduce a new food along with some of the stand-by favorites in your household.  Remember that it can take a few exposures to a new food before your family might like it, so be patient. Trying new foods is like starting a new hobby. It expands your family’s knowledge, experience and skill.

• Try foods from other countries and cultures
• Visit the local famers market to try new fruits and veggies

Nourishment

Meals prepared and eaten at home are usually more nutritious and healthier than their take-out counterparts.  They contain more natural fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy rather than refined carbohydrates, and full fat dairy products. Soda, sugar consumption and meals containing sodium and preservatives are also less common when eaten at home.

Your turn to take action:  How many meals per week do you have together as a family?

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