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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – If one positive thing has happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic, families are eating more meals together than in the recent past. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) reported that just 40% of American families ate dinner together, and then, no more than two or three times a week. Often the family sat in front of the TV or everyone was on their on devices, so interaction was minimal. Why is this so bad. Eating together as a family can foster much more than just good food choices. For the past 5 years the Food Marketing Institute Foundation has supported and promoted National Family Meals Month which is observed in September. This campaign encourages American families to eat one more family meals together each week at home. It can be dinner, breakfast or lunch. Close to 90% of Americans believe that it is important for families to eat together but they site hectic schedules and time-crunch as the reason it doesn’t happen. Over 80% say they ate more family meals together growing up than they do now with their own family.
That’s sad because mealtime is the best time for a family to share, talk and connect. On average American families eat together four nights a week. Though that isn’t an alarmingly low number, being physically together doesn’t mean you are communicating and sharing your day. Seven out of 10 admit that some other activity is competing with meals – watching TV or playing on their own devices. A quarter of families report eating alone at least 3 nights a week and 10% say they never eat as a family. A quarter of families report that sometimes they feel like their family is a disconnected group of individuals living under the same roof.
A shared family meal fosters many benefits, establishing and promotion a connection as a family unit. Did you know that the average parent spends only 38.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their kids? A shared meal gives you the opportunity to make face-to-face contact with your children or spouse. It is one of the few times in a day where people can slow down and focus on one another.
Here are a dozen reasons to eat meals as a family:
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Eating together provides time that kids can count on spending with their parents.
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Kids’ thinking skills and language development improves due to engaging in conversations.
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Kids are less likely to try smoking, marijuana, alcohol or drugs.
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Grades go up, especially in the 11 to 18-year-old group.
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Girls are at lower risk for teen pregnancy.
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The entire family is at lower risk for depression and suicidal thoughts.
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Teenage girls are less likely to have an eating disorder.
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There are lower rates of obesity in the family.
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You will be more likely to hear about serious problems before it is too late.
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Everyone eats healthier foods – especially more fruits and vegetables.
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Kids who share family meals drink less soda.
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Families who eat together, generally, have less tension and stress at home.
It may seem like magic that this can really happen simply by eating together. Yet, study after study has shown that eating together is more important to family dynamics than a vacation, playing games, bedtime stories, or even regular religious services.
If you make the meals – they will come. Three times a week is good, 4 is better, and 5 is a homerun. It doesn’t have to be a gourmet creation. Take out sandwiches, a pizza and salad, frozen waffles and strawberries are easy, fast and healthy choices. Try an all-snack meal – dried fruit, fresh fruit, raw vegetables, hard cooked eggs, nuts, popcorn, grapes, cheese cubes, crackers. Very unconventional, but all are good choices and your kids will have fun putting together a snack meal.
Bottom line: No other activity beats a family meal for having a positive impact on family relations and child development. Eat together as often as you can.
© NRH Nutrition Consultants, Inc.
Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and the author of 30 books.
Available as eBooks from iTunes and Kindle/Amazon:
Diabetes Counter – the most up-to-date information on managing diabetes
Calorie Counter – a weight loss guide that won’t let you down
Protein Counter – put the latest protein recommendations to work for you
Healthy Wholefoods Counter – planet-friendly eating made easy
Complete Food Counter – food counts and nutrition information at your fingertips
Fat and Cholesterol Counter – newest approach to heart-healthy eating
Available in print from Gallery Books:
Most Complete Food Counter, 3rd Ed.
For more information on Jo-Ann and her books, go to: www.TheNutritionExperts.com or on twitter: @JoAnnHeslinRD.