As we start a new year – 2018 – yayyyyy!!!! It is important to revisit some important simple changes that families and individual can make to improve relationships and health. We want to strive to live an extraordinary life not just and ordinary life as start the year fresh. One easy habit to start implementing if you have not done so yet with your family or to re-initiate in your homes, is making dinner time a priority.
It appears most teenagers would rather be doing so many other things at dinnertime than sitting down at the table with family members to eat a home cooked meal. Perhaps, the latest single just came out and it would be much more exciting to stay in your bedroom and listen to music. Or, perhaps you would prefer to run down to the kitchen, fix your plate and return to your room to FaceTime a close friend. Maybe you have a ton of homework and it would be easier to just grab a snack and stay in your room to knock out all that homework. Now how about eating out…Yippee, it’s Chinese-to-go night!! How about the Golden Corral Buffet as a stop on the way home from practice? The drive thru at your favorite fast food restaurant is always sooo easy on a busy weeknight.
Most people are so busy during the week with various activities, that dinnertime is one more task rather than a delight. The mere chore of setting the table is often done with quite a bit of drudgery and attitude. But take cheer!! I have good news! Research shows dinnertime at home has numerous benefits!!! Please see the following list of benefits:
- Students who eat regularly with their parents have less absenteeism from school.
- Students have less trouble with alcohol and drugs when they eat dinner with parents 5 or more times per week.
- Better grades in school are seen when students eat dinner with parents.
- Students are less stressed and much healthier.
One of the reasons eating dinner together as a family is so important and beneficial is because it gives us time to ‘pause’, take stock, and enjoy our loved ones. We are all so busy these days, it is rare for most families to be able to sit down for an hour and discuss our days. This reconnecting with each other as a family has numerous psychological benefits.
Additionally, it is very expensive to eat out of the home most days of the week. A recent article I read noted families are now spending as much on eating out as they spend on their weekly grocery bill!
How can you as a teen make dinnertime more fun and flavorful? Provide suggestions for recipes that contain foods you enjoy eating! Perhaps volunteer to prepare the meal or a portion of the meal to help speed up prep time. Be willing to engage in conversations with individuals of your family about your day.
The last (and my personal favorite) reason for eating dinner together as a family is because it is healthier. Meals eaten outside of the home are higher in calories, saturated fat, and salt. Teens will eat more vegetables and fruits when food is prepared at home. Often, this last meal of the day is the only opportunity to obtain a well-balanced meal prepared with lots of love!
Written by Tajuana Lordeus PA-C
Resources:
Delistratry, C. (2014, July 18). The Importance of Eating Together. The Atlantic. theatlantic.com
Fishel, A. Food, fun, and conversation about things that matter, FAQ. thefamilydinnerproject.org