Family mealtime used to be a core daily activity in the United States, but it is becoming a lost art in many homes.
Families often are too busy to sit down together around the dinner table, partly due to both parents working and the large number of single parent households. Unfortunately, family members often eat at different times, or they eat alone in separate corners of the house while watching TV, playing video games, talking on the phone, etc.
Many American families are caught in a time crunch, and eating meals together falls down their priority list. They blame hectic work and school schedules due to: after-school jobs; clubs; sports; dance lessons; music lessons; homework; a house to clean; clothes to wash; an older parent to care for and many other obligations.
Family Meals Have Changed
Fewer meals together: In the past 20 years, the frequency of family dinners has declined 33 percent.
More Prepared Food: Americans spend just 30 percent of their grocery money on fresh food. In comparison, Europeans spend about 53 percent of their budget on fresh food, and Asians about 60 percent, according to a March 2013 report from the Nielsen Company.
97 percent of the children’s restaurant meals studied by the Center for Science in the Public Interest did not meet the expert nutrition standards for children’s meals.
Fewer Meals at Home: In 1970, Americans spent 26 percent of their food budget on eating out; by 2010, that number had risen to 41 percent. During that time, rates of obesity in the United States more than doubled. Less than one-fourth of family dinners include a full serving of vegetables.
Why Eat Together?
Children learn important lessons and skills during mealtime, including positive eating habits that last a lifetime. Although it may seem impossible to get everyone together for a meal, the benefits of making family mealtime a tradition are worth pursuing.
Studies show that kids and teens who share family dinners 3 or more times per week:
- Are less likely to be overweight
- Are more likely to eat healthy foods
- Perform better academically
- Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
- Have better relationships with their parents
And “More frequent family dinners are related to fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, more trusting and helpful behaviors towards others and higher life satisfaction, “Journal of Adolescent Health” April 2012
Nutrition: Besides saving money, studies show that most people who eat meals with family or friends eat a wider variety of healthful foods. Parents should be good role models and teach children to eat nutritious foods, try new foods, and use good table manners.
Obesity has become one of America’s most serious health problems. Childhood obesity has doubled, and adolescent obesity has tripled. Children who eat regularly with their families generally have healthier eating patterns. They consume more fruits and vegetables and less fried foods, soft drinks and saturated fat. This helps them maintain a healthy weight, and it may be one of the best weapons against the national obesity epidemic.
According to a study reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, kids in families who regularly ate meals together had diets higher in calcium, iron, folate, fiber and several vitamins than kids who didn’t eat meals with their families. In another nationwide survey of 18,000 adolescents reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health, kids who had most of their evening meals with one or more parents ate more fruits, vegetables and dairy products than adolescents who usually didn’t eat dinner with a parent.
Tradition: Food served at the family table helps to shape and give lasting meaning to our cultural heritage. Positive food memories created during childhood are cherished for a lifetime.
For example, a family’s Thanksgiving tradition is to gather at Grandma’s house and dine on turkey served with a variety of Southern side dishes, including green beans, squash casserole, cornbread dressing, and sweet potatoes. Warm mealtime memories are made as the children listen to the grownups share stories about the “good ‘ole days.”
Family Bond: Emotionally healthy families spend time together on a routine basis, including family mealtime. Close bonds and lifelong memories can be created at the family table.
If possible, eat around a table instead of sitting side-by-side at the kitchen counter. This allows for eye contact with other family members and makes it easier to talk and listen to each other.
Family meals don’t have to consist of seven courses. Members can enjoy good conversation and reconnect with one another just as easily over a meal of soup and sandwiches.
Mealtime, especially dinner, is an ideal time for families to share daily events, reconnect and deepen relationships. By sitting down together for a meal, families can communicate with each other and find out what is happening in each other ‘s lives. In contrast, families who don’t eat together regularly may miss valuable opportunities to talk and strengthen relationships.
Research shows that most kids who eat dinner with their families every night of the week tend to:
- feel good about themselves.
- spend more time studying.
- participate in productive activities.
- make better grades in school.
These kids also are less likely to drink alcohol, smoke, get into fights, use illegal drugs, or get suspended from school.
Ways to Make the Most of Family Mealtimes
The average American household spends a total of 65 minutes nightly on dinner, including 35 minutes for preparation and 30 minutes for eating. This accounts for a large part of the time that families spend together every day.
Here are some simple, easy ways to make mealtime a pleasant experience for your entire family.
Serve Nutritious Meals: Family members will be healthier and happier, their chances of getting tired or sick will be reduced, and they will have more energy to perform better at school and work.
The parent’s job is to offer a variety of healthful foods in a pleasant atmosphere, while the children’s job is to choose whether or not to eat and how much.
Set Regular Times for Family Meals: This improves children’s chances of eating a variety of foods to grow, stay healthy, and maintain a healthy weight. When meals are served on time, children don’t come to the table extremely hungry or grumpy.
Let Children Know When Dinner Will Be Served: Give a “5-minute warning” so that children can complete what they are doing. They are less likely to come to the table with negative feelings about having to stop in the middle of an activity.
Select Meals When Everyone can Eat Together: On Sunday, compare family members’ schedules for the upcoming week. Select times when all members can eat together, both at home and away.
If eating dinner together is impossible due to work or school schedules, then pick another mealtime. Breakfast may work best.
Make Meals Simple & Quick: Spend more time at the table and less time in the kitchen. Simple food served with love and laughter is better than elaborate menu items. Even a cold sandwich meal tastes good and seems special if everyone is relaxed and the mealtime is filled with caring and laughter.
Get Everyone Involved in the Preparation: Encourage children to help plan menus, prepare meals and clean up the kitchen. This teaches them teamwork and cooperation.
According to a recent survey, 38% of family cooks said that children have a big influence on what is bought and prepared, so get them involved in cooking and buying groceries. Older children and teens learn how to stay within a budget by creating a grocery list and/or shopping for food.
Kids are more likely to eat meals when they are involved in the planning and preparation. Even if the parent can work faster alone, children feel important when asked to help. Small children can measure and mix ingredients, tear salad greens, put bread in a basket, and set the table. This is also an opportunity to teach them food preparation skills and food safety techniques.
Serve Favorite Foods: Reduce negative moods and children’s temper tantrums by including at least one food that each family member likes at every meal.
Encourage Good Conversation: Focus on positive, uninterrupted conversation that involves everyone. Talk about positive events of the day or upcoming family activities.
Eliminate Interruptions & Distractions: Turn off the TV or radio during mealtime. Let the answering machine take messages and return phone calls after meals. Get caller I.D. so that emergency calls can be answered (e.g. a call from an ill parent). Put pets in another room if they demand attention at mealtime.
Keep the Discussion Positive: Avoid talking about discipline issues or other problems. Share positive events that happened during the day. Let children give their thoughts, because they listen and learn by feeling included. Topics of conversation could be:
- what happened at school or work.
- plans for the weekend.
- sports activities.
- current events.
Try using some preplanned questions to improve family conversation. Here are some samples:
- What happened recently that made you feel really happy?
- Pretend that someone gave you $1,000. Before you can buy something for yourself, you have to spend some of it on your family. What would you buy for everyone?
- Who would you choose if you could spend an afternoon with a famous person, living or dead?
Make Mealtime Relaxing: Slow down and enjoy the family’s time together. Children generally eat slower than adults, so take your time and enjoy a few extra minutes at the table. Resist the temptation to rush through the meal and get up to start cleaning immediately.
The Importance of Table Manners
Eating meals together as a family helps children develop good table manners, usually by watching and listening to parents. It is a comfortable setting for practicing social skills and manners.
Children must be taught table manners, because they do not learn these skills by themselves. Some skills that children should be taught include:
- setting a table.
- using a fork, knife and spoon correctly.
- using a napkin properly.
- waiting for others to be served before starting to eat.
- passing dishes of food from left to right.
- taking small bites of food.
- chewing with a closed mouth.
- never talking with the mouth full.
- being polite, saying “please” and “thank you.”
- waiting until everyone finishes eating before leaving the table.
- removing a hat or cap at the dinner table.
To strengthen children’s etiquette skills, take them to restaurants. When entertaining at home, let children set the table and serve the appetizers. Basic etiquette skills are essential once they begin dating and enter the work world.
Conclusion
Family meals should be happy, relaxed times for members to interact and spend time together. They strengthen communications and provide a sense of family unity.
Make family mealtimes a priority. Consider dropping at least one activity to add time for them. Set a goal to enjoy at least one family meal together every week.
Originally published 02/08
