{"id":7471,"date":"2023-09-17T03:25:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-16T20:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=7471"},"modified":"2023-09-17T03:25:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-16T20:25:01","slug":"eating-family-meals-boost-mental-and-physical-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=7471","title":{"rendered":"Eating Family Meals Boost Mental and Physical Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">S<\/span>eptember is National Family Meals Month, which was originally launched by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/foundation\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/foundation\/about-us\">FMI Foundation<\/a> in September 2015. The initiative started with encouraging Americans to attempt just <em>one more<\/em>\u00a0meal per week at home. It has since grown into a full-fledged movement.<\/div>\n<p>While gathering around the table with family may be more challenging than you would think, research shows it\u2019s absolutely worth it. Eating together offers many advantages for all, including <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29746973\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29746973\/\">social and mental benefits<\/a>, as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4325878\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4325878\/\">improved performance in school<\/a> and the workplace, plus better cognition.<\/p>\n<p>Family meals also have a strong impact on nutrition and dietary outcomes. A\u00a02020 systematic review, published in <em>The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, <\/em>found that <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31982371\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31982371\/\">family meals improve fruit and vegetable consumption<\/a> in both children and adults. Most Americans are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/71\/wr\/mm7101a1.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/71\/wr\/mm7101a1.htm\">not getting enough fruits and vegetables<\/a>, so this extra bump can make a difference.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Some of the other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7915304\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7915304\/\">benefits of family meals<\/a> include better family functional outcomes, reduced adolescent drug use, reduced symptoms of depression, violence and suicide, higher self-esteem, and a greater sense of resilience.<\/p>\n<h2>Why have family meals decreased?<\/h2>\n<p>With all of these benefits, it\u2019s worth questioning why we can\u2019t prioritize family meals more.<\/p>\n<p>Some literature indicates that <a href=\"https:\/\/lseclarion.com\/12133\/uncategorized\/the-direction-of-dinner-as-family-dynamics-change-shared-dinnertime-doesnt-disappear-it-evolves\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lseclarion.com\/12133\/uncategorized\/the-direction-of-dinner-as-family-dynamics-change-shared-dinnertime-doesnt-disappear-it-evolves\/\">family meals have decreased by nearly 33 percent<\/a> in the past 20 years, yet the desire is still there and tides may be changing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the number of family meals and there is hope to hang on to that trend.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/family-meals\/\" current-title=\"Why Having More \u2018Family Meals\u2019 (However That Looks for You) Can Boost Mental and Physical Health\" current-image=\"IMG_2023-09-16-103740.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-03-16\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/family-meals\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/family-meals\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/family-meals\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>While the norm used to be for families to eat together<strong>,<\/strong> the changing landscape has brought about new challenges. For one, there are more<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/242022\/number-of-single-person-households-in-the-us\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/242022\/number-of-single-person-households-in-the-us\/\"> single-generation households<\/a> today and that number has consistently increased. Additionally, there are now many adaptations of the 9 to 5 workday, and more women (historically the primary preparer of family meals) are working outside the home. So, \u201cdinner\u201d as we know it may take on many variations. Add to that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/08\/08\/opinion\/inflation-us-groceries-economy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/08\/08\/opinion\/inflation-us-groceries-economy.html\">rising cost of groceries<\/a> and the fact that <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2017\/09\/the-grocery-industry-confronts-a-new-problem-only-10-of-americans-love-cooking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2017\/09\/the-grocery-industry-confronts-a-new-problem-only-10-of-americans-love-cooking\">Gen-Xers and millennials are cooking less<\/a>, it\u2019s easy to understand how and why family meals have changed.<\/p>\n<p>However, the rise of meal kits and convenient food delivery options don\u2019t have to negate the family meal effort, and can be advantageous for family meals as a matter of fact. After all, these meal options can still be enjoyed together, and arguably, make the family dinner situation come together more easily.<\/p>\n<h2>What constitutes a \u2018family meal\u2019 for one household may differ from another<\/h2>\n<p>The definition of family is constantly evolving; therefore, even friends eating together on a regular basis can constitute a \u201cfamily meal,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/foundation\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/foundation\/contact-us\">David Fikes<\/a>, executive director of the FMI Foundation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe family meal is a deliberate attempt of a family by birth or family by choice to sit down together at a table to share a meal and in the process share our lives,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of outlining what does or doesn\u2019t happen during a family meal, that can be up to each individual family. Some families may establish table-manners guidance, such as omitting the use of cell phones, while others may utilize conversation starters for all to answer.<\/p>\n<h2>How family meals usually lead to better nutritional intake for all<\/h2>\n<p>Oftentimes it\u2019s less about what\u2019s being served, but instead what else these gatherings offer\u2014education, connection, and, perhaps even a sense of purpose. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to include all generations in the growing, menu planning, shopping, and prep for the family meals,\u201d Fikes says. \u201cThis adds to the interaction time between family members, plus often provides an easy way to bring in science and math applications in everyday situations. We also know that young[er] people are more inclined to eat fruits and vegetables they had a hand in growing, selecting, or preparing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Having a family dinner routine, when possible, allows that exchange of communication, sharing of messages and values, and just that reminder that \u201cwe\u2019re here together,\u201d for solidarity.<\/p>\n<p>As a mom of three young children five and under, I\u2019m a big proponent of sitting down together as a family when possible. For one, I know it helps reduce picky eating, as my kids see me eating what they are being served. Secondly, I appreciate how it allows them to see the meal process unfold from start to finish, which can generate more interest in the food. For instance, if we picked up frozen broccoli at the grocery store, they now see it transformed (baked and seasoned) on the table, served alongside other ingredients.<\/p>\n<p>Thirdly, I know that as my children age, time will become more precious. They\u2019ll want to spend more of it with their friends, and we may be going to and from more activities in the dinner hour.<\/p>\n<p>It takes a commitment and some planning to carry out a family meal, but the mental, emotional and nutritional benefits they afford are worth the investment.<\/p>\n<h2>Here are some of my tried-and-true ways to bring together a family meal in minutes<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep pantry staples on hand as these wholesome, convenient items can help make a one-pan meal feel much more attainable.<\/li>\n<li>Purchase pre-cut fruits and veggies or meal kits from the grocery store (i.e. \u2013 salad kits, taco kits).<\/li>\n<li>Pair leftover portions with a new side to give the meal fresh flavor.<\/li>\n<li>Declare a kids night and let older kids pick the menu<\/li>\n<li>Bring back your favorite family meal from childhood. What did you enjoy, and what do you remember about it? What memories can you form with your family now?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Centering your family meal on a theme (taco, pizza, or even a movie\/show night are all good options) or switching things up (serve breakfast for dinner!) offer fun, nostalgic meal ideas that can be ready relatively quickly as well.<\/p>\n<p>Trying to commit to just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/family-meals-movement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/family-meals-movement\">one more family meal per week<\/a>, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, can make a big difference. Or, if not a meal, sharing a snack together can infer the same benefits.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>September is National Family Meals Month, which was originally launched by the FMI Foundation in September 2015. The initiative started with encouraging Americans to attempt just one more\u00a0meal per week at home. It has since grown into a full-fledged movement. While gathering around the table with family may be more challenging than you would think, &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}