Having a family mealtime may promote healthy eating habits among adolescents, according to a study.
Researchers found that 11- to 18-year-old children who ate meals with their families consumed higher amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains and nutrient-dense foods than those who ate separately. Further, children who ate at least seven family meals per week ate less snack foods than children who ate fewer family meals.
According to the study, boys ate more family meals than girls, as did middle school children compared to high school students. Additionally, Asian-American families, families with non-employed mothers and families with higher socioeconomic statues were more likely too eat meals together.
Researchers note that dietetics professionals could work with families to develop ways to increase family meals, thereby potentially improving adolescents’ diets and increasing quality family time together.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association February 2003
With more and more of our food dollars going toward fast food (Americans spend over $100 billion per year on fast food, at last count) it is no wonder that families are eating together at home less often.
Most families struggle to capture some semblance of time and as a result they exchange convenience and saving time for food quality.
However, even if they don’t stop off at the fast food shop, what are they going to eat at home? Well, over 90 percent of the money Americans spend on food goes toward processed foods.
How can you become, or stay, healthy if your regular diet is fast foods? I don’t go to regular grocery stores very often, but I am always amazed at what people put in their shopping carts when I do. It is no wonder that people are sick when you see what they are eating.
Most of my food shopping is done at a local Italian produce store that is frequented by immigrants. It appears that most of the people shopping in the store realize that vegetables are a key to health as their carts are dramatically different than those in the traditional grocery stores.
So the key to health is not only to have regular family meals, which I believe is a fabulous idea, but also to have meals that are healthy.
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