The Important of a Family Meal
In a survey of 15 home cooks, all of whom live in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, only 7 said that dinner time with in their household was family time. However 13 said dinner time does help with family bonding. Dinner is sometimes the only time which a family is together during the day, so it is only natural it is used to catch up with other family members, talk about the highs and lows of each other’s and in general family bonding.
Eating dinner with your family has been linked to...
Research completed by the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse (NCASA), showed that a child who eats at 5 times a week with their families may also be at lower risk of developing the following:
Jane McGrath, a writer for TLC, offer these tips to get family members involved and wanting to eat meals at home. Try the following:
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Eating dinner with your family has been linked to...
- Increased fruit, vegetable and nutrients intake, with this comes less intake of junk food.
- Better communication between the family
- Performing better academically in school than their peers who frequently eat meals alone or away from home
- Developing a better relationship with food than others who eat meals alone or away from home
- Learning good and healthy eating habits
- Understand boundaries set by authority figures, such their parents, grandparents and teachers
Research completed by the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse (NCASA), showed that a child who eats at 5 times a week with their families may also be at lower risk of developing the following:
- Alcohol and substance dependencies
- Eating disorders
- Poor eating habits
- Weight problems
Jane McGrath, a writer for TLC, offer these tips to get family members involved and wanting to eat meals at home. Try the following:
- Involve them in planning the meal, ask them what they want
- Give family members a night that their favourite food is served once a month
- Try new recipes
- Get your family member involved with the preparation
- Perhaps you may want to have theme nights
Click here to go on to Super Skills