The benefits of eating together are many. Research shows that kids who regularly sit down to dinner with their family make better grades and are less likely to experiment with drugs, have an eating disorder or suffer from depression. While that should be enough to get your family around the table on a regular basis, I am going to elaborate on a less talked about benefit: healthier meals.

 

Preparing and eating your meals at home, rather than getting them from a sit-down restaurant or drive-through, leads to an overall healthier diet. Here are a few things that happen when you choose to eat at home:

 

• Consume less salt
• Consume less added sugars
• Eat foods that are not fried
• Consume more whole fruits and vegetables
• More likely to drink water
• Eat smaller portions

 

So, how are you going to make it happen? In this hustle and bustle world, everybody is busy. Just like exercise, you have to schedule your family meals. Sit down at the beginning of the week and figure out which nights (or afternoons, or mornings) everybody can sit down together. Put it on the schedule and don’t change it. Set a goal for yourself this week to eat a certain number of meals at home as a family.  My goal is six meals, when all five of us can sit down at the same time, and a few more when we might be missing just one family member.

 

One note: You don’t have to eat with your actual family. You can receive the same benefits by planning to eat with friends or co-workers.  Just schedule your meals together in someone’s home.

 

Another benefit to eating at home: when you do eat in a restaurant it is much more of a special treat. I enjoy a meal out as much as the next gal. Just make it something special instead of a daily occurrence. 

 

Want some additional information on family dinners? Check out this link from my fellow Connect Bridgeport blogger, Mandy Curry. This site provides a wealth of resources.

 

http://healthykidsinc.com/services/

 

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