Family Meals Are Fulfilling in Many Ways

Family meals are about much more than eating together. Beyond sharing food, they’re a time to catch up and connect — to share stories, ideas, emotions, struggles and victories.

Family meals also offer a natural way to practice life skills like responsibility and teamwork — from helping with meal planning, grocery shopping and preparation to setting the table and cleaning up afterwards. And speaking of life skills, the family table is an ideal place to teach the value of a grateful and optimistic attitude, simply by having everyone share something for which they’re thankful or glad.

On top of all these benefits, studies show that families who regularly eat together tend to have more nourishing meals, and their children are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

To ensure that you’re fully focused on one another, be sure that your table is completely screen-free for adults as well as kids. And while family meals are a time to model and teach table manners, they don’t have to be fancy or fussy. They can be casual and fun — no tablecloth required. Better yet, why not make a tablecloth of plain butcher paper and offer colored pencils so everyone can create some art while you enjoy your meal and conversation?

Kids’ activities and parents’ work schedules can make family meals challenging to plan, but it’s worth keeping them a top priority. At times, you’ll need to be flexible and creative — everyone loves a weekend brunch or a backyard picnic lunch, or even a tailgate pizza dinner after the big game. As long as you’re gathered together, that’s what counts!

Get more tips for healthy eating as a family.