Making Meals Matter

Yes, families are busy. But even busy families have to eat.

And the benefits to kids are significant when everyone sits down together to laugh, listen, connect and share.

Plus you get to enjoy some yummy food. Just:

Keep it simple. Family meals don’t have to be anything elaborate or take a ton of time. Check out our Recipes For Every Day—they only taste like you’ve been slaving away over a hot stove.

Make it fun. Leave the serious stuff for another time. Check out Nourishing Conversations.

Get the kids involved. Let them help fix the meal and set the table. Check out Cooking With The Kids.

And every once in a while, make a night of it. Check out Family Night.

Making Meals Matter

Making Meals Matter

Kids who eat dinner with their family regularly:

  • Eat healthier foods, less junk.
  • Get better grades.
  • Engage in fewer risky behaviors, including drugs, alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
  • Develop stronger connections with their parents.
  • Are less depressed.
  • Build larger vocabularies.
  • Have fewer eating disorders.
  • Feel that their parents are proud of them.

Source: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)