LIFESTYLE
Family meals
 << Back to Health      Print

How eating together at the same table contributes to healthy eating.

Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:

  • more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains
  • less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
  • less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol
In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce your child to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.

Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal − not surprising because they're trying to establish independence. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and counsel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect. Also, consider trying these strategies:
  • Allow your teen to invite a friend to dinner.
  • Involve your teen in meal planning and preparation.
  • Keep mealtime calm and congenial − no lectures or arguing.
What counts as a family meal? Any time you and your family eat together − whether it's takeout food or a home­cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a child who's at sports practice. It can also mean setting aside time on the weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group.


Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/habits.html

.2.188224392 (1.7)