Here at HTB, meal time is one of the most important times of day. We use meal and snack time to socialize and talk about what we are eating! We encourage children to talk at the table and discuss the foods they are eating. While they are eating and socializing, they are building skills for the future! They are making decisions about if they like a food or not and learning communication skills by describing what they are eating. We talk about what colors foods are, if they are salty or sweet and if we need a spoon or fork to eat the different types of foods. We also read a variety of books about meal times and new foods! Last but not least, we pray before each and every meal, welcoming Jesus to our table!
For many, family mealtime has been lost in our over scheduled lives. For many families, school, work schedules and extracurricular activities can make it difficult to find time to eat together and some go days or weeks without sitting down as a family to share a meal. However, family meals are important and should be considered part of our daily requirements.
Researchers have found that families who share meals together on a regular basis, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner reap many benefits.
- Family meals are more nutritious. A Harvard study found that families who eat together are twice as likely to eat their five servings of fruits and vegetables as families who don’t eat together.
- Kids who eat family meals tend to eat a wider variety of foods and become less picky eaters.
- Family meals provide an opportunity for family members to come together, strengthen ties and build better relationships. They build a sense of belonging which leads to better self-esteem.
- Family meals offer parents a chance to be role models. They can set an example of healthy eating and polite table manners.
- Family meals help prevent obesity. Research shows that people tend to eat less during family meals because they eat more slowly, and talk more.
- Research shows that kids who eat family meals have a lower chance of engaging in high risk behaviors such as substance use and violence, and fewer psychological problems.
Tips for eating more meals together:
- Make family meals a priority in your household. Focus on the importance of being together as a family more than on making an elaborate meal.
- PRAY!
- Start with small steps. Increase the number of family meals by one extra meal a week.
- As a family, plan a menu for the week and make a grocery list.
- Let the kids be involved. Let them help prepare food or set the table.
- Work as a family to clean up afterwards.
- Turn off the TV.
It’s worth a try. More family mealtime could mean large rewards for your family!
