Family Meals Have Benefits Beyond the Dinner Table

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2009

It's that time of year again when families sit down to share holiday meals. Many families have their own holiday meal traditions. But, what is your family mealtime like the rest of the year?

"Today, only about 28 percent of families eat together seven nights per week, and 24 percent eat together less than three nights a week," says Milly Kaiser, University of Illinois Extension family life educator. "Most families eat out occasionally, but the good news is that families are eating more meals at home."

Busy work and school schedules often make it hard to find time to sit down together around the dinner table. But, Kaiser says the benefits of family meals are well worth the effort:

• Family meals give parents a chance to teach their children important lessons and skills.
• Eating together can foster family togetherness and a sense of belonging.
• Positive and respectful mealtime conversations can give everyone a chance to share things about their day. Studies have shown that the more often families eat and communicate together the less likely teenagers are to use illegal drugs, abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes or get pregnant.
• Mealtime traditions help to shape lasting and meaningful memories.

Parents who role model and teach children to eat nutritious foods, try new foods, use good table manners, and help with food preparation build a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. And, studies have shown that most people who eat meals with family and friends eat a wider variety of healthy foods.

Make family meals a priority this holiday season and all year long. The benefits will last a lifetime. For simple recipes that make meals a cinch, visit

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/challenge.