Family meals for modern families
For some people, the idea of a traditional, sit down, family style dinner seems antiquated and old fashioned. One may think of a family gathered around the table: mom wears an apron over her house dress, the children are clean and polite, and dad sits at the head of the table reading a newspaper. Any minute you will hear someone say, “Can you please pass the potatoes?”
Despite this image not being what most families in today’s world look like, for most it’s still possible to have a meal together at least once per week. Anymore, most of us are trying to scrounge up something, anything to eat when we get home. Between parents and children, schedules are packed full and it seems a miracle if everyone in the house eats dinner, let alone together without distractions.
Daunting as it may seem, there are many benefits to having regular family meals. The children of families that have consistent sit-down meals are less likely to get into trouble with the law, they do better in school and are less likely to become obese. Dinner becomes an important event in the household where parents and children can discuss the goings-on in their lives. This allows parents to pick up on signals that their child may be experiencing some difficulties and be the first ones to intercede.
Families that eat together tend to eat healthier meals, which is one reason why the children have a lower obesity rate. Perhaps more importantly, even if the meals aren’t as healthy as they could be, there is the social aspect to consider. When a family is sitting down and conversing at the table, everyone is typically eating more slowly and recognizes they are full before overstuffing themselves. Compare that to eating in front of the television when food is being eaten at a faster rate and with distractions, it’s much easier to overeat.
This is all just one small snapshot of family meals. Most of the time, parents don’t have to put together a fancy three-course meal to enjoy not only these benefits, but each other. If sitting down for 30 minutes on a Friday night is what is realistic for you and your family, then do that. If all you can manage is a delivery pizza, then do that. The important thing to remember is to find what works for you and yours and make it a regular event.
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Lenna Ahlers Kamps, RDN, LD, is a dietitian in skilled nursing facilities and a graduate of the University of Idaho Dietetics program.