The Importance of Family Meals

Although it may not always be easy to find time to share meals, research shows that family mealtimes are important for several reasons:

• Teens who frequently eat dinner with their families are more likely to be emotionally content, work hard at school, and have positive peer relationships. 
• Family meals are associated with improved nutrition and decreased intake of soft drinks and snack foods.
• Kids who eat dinner with their families at least five times per week are less likely to take drugs, feel depressed, or get into trouble.

Family meals are an opportunity for parents to role model proper eating habits and healthy food choices.

How to Increase Meal Time Participation
In today's world, it's becoming harder for families to sit down together for dinner everyday. However, you can increase the attendance of family meal time with a few helpful tips.

• Plan ahead - Buy your food in advance and avoid complicated recipes during the week. Make it quick and nutritious.
• Involve the whole family - Make the preparation of meals a family affair where each member is responsible for making part of the meal.
• Be flexible - With late night meetings and soccer practices, don't worry about when you eat as long as you do it together.
• Turn off the TV, computer and other portable devices - Enjoy the time you have with each other and avoid outside distractions.