We all know how important it is to eat a healthy and a balanced diet. While we do understand the value of eating a nutritious food, what we often forget is to pay attention to the way we eat it.
A new study claims that having a meal in front of the TV or when you are stressed may not transfer the required nutrition to your body in comparison to the meal that you have with your family.
The study:
As per a new study by the University of Illinois, Chicago, the benefits of having meals with your family are simple but making people realise those benefits is extremely tough.
As per the study, solutions like having a meal on time, preparing your meal in advance or eating healthy when done in isolation is less effective for your overall health. As per the experts, family mealtime should be one of the most fundamental and frequent tasks.
Other benefits of eating with your family are:
It teaches your kids better eating habits
As per a recent study published in the JAMA Network Open, eating meals with family is associated with a better overall diet, especially among adolescents. Teens who have food with family are more likely to consume more vegetables and fruits and have less fast food and sugary beverages
It can prevent serious psychosocial issues
According to a review by a group of Canadian researchers, frequent family dinners can prevent issues with eating disorders, alcohol, substance use, violent behaviour, depression and suicidal thoughts in adolescents.
It can improve your kid’s self-esteem
As per the Stanford Children’s Health, when families eat together every day, it can help the children feel more comfortable in themselves.
During this time, you can encourage your children to talk about their day. Children should be allowed to choose their seats and should be involved in chores related to dinnertime, like serving food or cleaning up.
