Let’s Eat…Together!

Article by Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD
Posted on September 15, 2007

Americans typically lead busy and sometimes hectic lives. It can be hard for the average family to take time to eat meals together. Unfortunately, this may lead to unhealthy eating habits for children, as they grow older. A recent study completed by the researchers at the University of Minnesota showed the positive aspects of eating together as a family. More than 1,500 students were surveyed while they were in high school and again when they were 20 years old to determine how eating together as a family affected their eating habits later in life. Meal structure, quality of diet, meal frequency and social eating habits were all specifically looked at. Results indicated that adolescents that ate meals together with their family grew into adults that consumed more fruit, dark-green and orange vegetables, and less soda. Frequency resulted in an increase in breakfast consumption and a higher emphasis on structured eating as adults. In addition, female adolescents who ate together with their family had significantly higher dietary intakes of calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber.

Family mealtimes can result in other benefits. Increased communication can take place at the dinner table. This leads to increased feelings of love, connection and belonging. Parents can include children in the entire meal production process from grocery shopping, chopping of the ingredients, and baking, which can help the child to be more self-sufficient. This can also make it easier for parents to introduce new foods to children. Finally, frequent family dinners can reduce the amount of smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use in teenagers. As children become adolescents, it may be more and more difficult to find time to eat together. It is important to schedule and reserve time in advance. Try sitting together as a family on Sunday and coordinating schedules for the week. Planning around jobs, sports practices, schoolwork, and commitments can be tricky, but because of the important health benefits, should be placed as a priority.