When was the last time you sat down as a family and enjoyed a meal together?

Connecting with your family over a meal has many things going for it, with research indicating educational gains, health bonuses, social and behavioral benefits, and overall improvements for the family (learn more: UF/IFAS “Benefits of Family Meals“.

But, carving out time can be difficult, with conflicts arising from children’s schedules and afterschool activities, career and work duties, differing energy levels among family members, and more.

We can help.

Here are some suggestions to help you plan.

• Communicate to family members why prioritizing family meals is important.
• Have family members help plan the meals and create the grocery list.
• Don’t get stuck on just dinner time, but also include breakfasts and lunches.
• Keep Saturday and Sunday in mind for shared meal opportunities.
• Start with sharing one or two dinners during the week (don’t get overwhelmed and give up, if two days is not an option).
• Be realistic with time by keeping meals simple.
• Have a back-up plan.
• Enjoy leftovers for a meal.
• Enlist family members to set the table, assist with the food prep and of course, help with the clean-up.
• If possible, prep ingredients ahead of time.
• Set aside certain day(s) of the week for dinner meals and stick to those days to show members that eating together is a priority.
• Eat together at a table and not in front of the television.
• Screens and cell phones are not part of dinner time.
• Remember, the priority is the family around you and not necessarily the “perfect” meal.

For more tips, visit MyPlate.gov Meal Planning.

So, whatever family looks like to you, taking the time to connect with family members is important. Fitting family mealtime into our busy lives can create positive experiences and have positive effects on our family. Sharing a meal together not only creates a safe place for conversation, but we can also model positive eating behaviors and connect with one another by listening and sharing the day.

To learn more about the benefits of family meals, visit the Family Meals Movement from FMI, The Food Industry Association.

Bon appétit!

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