Eating together as a family

Eating together as a family has been a Jamaican tradition for decades. Unfortunately, this healthy practice is dying as a result of changes in family life.

There is evidence from the American Dietetic Association (January 2008) indicating that eating together results in healthier meals for family members. When a responsible family member prepares the meal for everyone and not just for him or herself, he or she tends to prepare more wholesome meals rather than a quick, not-so-wholesome snack.

The United States National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse indicates that when teens who have family dinners are compared to those who do not, the latter are three and a half times more likely to abuse drugs. Family meals promote improved communication between family members and the identification of potential problems.

Also, girls who have five or more meals a week with their families are less likely to have poor eating habits according to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Project Eating among Teens January 9, 2008 (ProjectEAT)

Other benefits of family meals:

It minimises the chances of inappropriate eating habits and reduces the risk of being overweight.

It gives children a chance to take on roles such as setting the table and assisting in meal preparation.

It promotes the formation of family traditions.

Tips to increase family meals

Ensure that family meals are planned for weekends.

After successfully fixing the weekend schedule, add one more day during the week for family meals.

Make the occasion pleasant. Leave the scolding for another time so that the occasion can be enjoyed.

Assign tasks to children such as setting the table or making a salad.

You can alter the type of service during the week to minimise clean up. For example, go for plate service where meals are portioned and brought to the table, leaving the family-style service for weekends when there is more time to wash up.

Avoid distractions such as television while eating. Families may sit together without conversation, as they are focused on the television, radio or even the newspaper instead of each other.

Resolve to start, revive or maintain family meals in your household, for your family's health and wellbeing. This is could be a wonderful gift to children in May, Child's Month which they could transfer to the next generation.

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.