Having regular meals together as a family is not only healthy but fun and enjoyable too. Most adults who fall in this millennial generation know how it feels to come together as a family, as back then families were close and tight. The internet and social media are slowly eroding the family virtue in most people, and the consequences, whether short or long term, can be quite detrimental to children’s growth and development. Today, two out of every ten urban families seldom have at least two family meals in a week!
Besides being an Aileen tradition, family mealtimes promote good health and keep obesity at bay. For instance, eating cooked lean beef sounds like a good plan compared to eating junk and restaurant food. Eating together discourages children from preparing their foods, which are often too oily or improperly cooked.
So, what are the top five reasons that should prompt you to eat together as a family? Well, they include but aren’t limited to the following:
1.Family unity and togetherness
Do you know why some people tend to get well along with close friends and not direct family members? Children love to feel secure, loved, and appreciated. If they don’t get that attention from parents and other family members, they’ll resort to other sources such as friends or even distant relatives. Remember, siblings will hardly sit down together for a meal if their parents are absent. Moreover, it helps if you inculcate the sense of belonging in them from a tender age. Family mealtimes don’t have to be strictly scheduled. Today it can be breakfast, tomorrow lunch, and the other day dinner.
2. Children do better in school
Conversations that happen at the dining table help create an all-rounded student who becomes conversant with national and international trends such as politics and trade. Children draw inspiration from their parents when they listen to them talking. If they are of age, the table is the only safe place where they can raise issues with confidence without any ridicule. The long-term effect is that this culture breeds outspoken and audacious individuals who rarely fail in life.
3. Better nutrition
During family meals, parents likely take their time to prepare tasty and nutritious meals from all five food groups. Unlike children, parents will use measured oils and sugar to check on the health and weight of all family members. The five food groups that constitute a balanced diet include carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables, fruits, multivitamins, and plenty of clean water.
4. Save time and money
The amount of money that two people spend at a fast food joint can be used to prepare a satisfactory family meal that is more tasty and nutritious. Moreover, some people cook extra food for another mealtime, which saves them a great hassle when that time reaches.
5. Spirituality
The modern busy life is gradually eroding the virtue of family spirituality as members hardly come together. While prayers/hymns may not attract everyone to a gathering, food is loved by all. After that, families can have the opportunity or the discipline to create one for spiritual nourishment.
