Why Family Dinners Matter So Much
By Sandy Schroeder
The way we eat may be overlooked in a culture in which everybody has a separate schedule with a million things to do, but the figures say it does matter.
Harvard University’s Family Dinner Project found 70 percent of meals in the United States are consumed outside the home. About 20 percent are eaten in the car. Almost half of American families rarely have a family dinner. That raises a lot of questions about family life.
If you agree, you will probably appreciate this information, too. Researchers say kids who regularly eat dinner with their family do better on the following key health issues.
- They have lower rates of obesity both as children and adults
- They eat more fruits and vegetables and drink less soda
- They have a better body image and fewer eating disorders
- They have lower rates of depression, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and behavioral problems
- They have higher self-esteem and a more positive outlook
- They have a better vocabulary, reading scores and grades
How to Make Family Meals Happen
Not every family can make dinners come together every night. They may have to use breakfasts and weekends to fill in some spots, but here are some ways to get started.
Just enjoy the meal - It can be as simple as veggie pizza, or as much fun as baking bread or roasting a chicken. Don’t make it a production. Just enjoy talking and sharing your favorite foods.
Start gradually - Don’t try to go from one meal a week to seven. Take a look at everybody’s schedules, and pick a few nights to start. Put the dates on everybody’s calendar and plan a few surprise treats.
Work around your family - If it turns out that kids have sports practice and you have meetings, an evening dessert might be the best way to get everybody together, with dinners reserved for weekends.
Keep it light - Make each dinner a comfortable place to be, encouraging everyone to talk about their day and enjoy the food. Skip grilling kids about grades, or asking stressful questions. When the meals become a habit, everybody may be more apt to relax and confide in each other.
Eat at home - Even if you have to order takeout, it’s better to meet for dinner at home. As meals become more routine, different members might take turns helping to fix the meal, making the salad, or fixing a dessert.
Finding ways to enjoy family meals may lead to other good things, too. It may become a time to plan special trips, or weekend getaways, or trade ideas on technology. Dinners may blend into the evening with time to play games, watch movies or work on hobbies. Enjoy!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pearland, Tex.