Will Hehemann, UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences Published 9:02 p.m. CT Oct. 7, 2019
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PINE BLUFF – Busy schedules, increasing responsibilities and changing family structure often make it difficult for families to spend time together, Easter H. Tucker, interim family and consumer sciences program leader for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said. Finding the time to break bread together at the dinner table can greatly benefit a family unit in a number of ways.
“Dinner or the evening meal is one of the best times for families to reconnect, share daily events and continue to work on their relationships,” she said. “Eating together also promotes good nutrition, healthy eating habits and interpersonal skills.”
School-aged children who eat alone or in front of the television tend to overeat and eat fewer nutritious foods. On the other hand, children who eat in a supportive family environment have healthier diets.
Tucker said children who regularly eat with their families have healthier eating patterns that contain more fruits and vegetables and less fried foods, soda and saturated fat compared with those who do not eat regularly with their families. They also have a higher intake of calcium, iron, fiber and vitamins, which are important for their growing bodies.
“Children learn and form many habits during mealtime,” she said. “Establishing positive eating habits in the childhood years helps children build better skills that last a lifetime. As families pass the bread and pour the milk, they also convey values and establish traditions.”
At the dinner table, children have an opportunity to work on their good manners, including making conversation and paying attention to others. When each family member takes a turn to speak and listen, it reinforces the importance of polite conversation. Children are also able to learn many of the less tangible qualities of human interaction such as courtesy, appreciation, consideration and respect.
“Eating together promotes better communication between family members,” Tucker said. “Dinnertime conversations can help parents show and express concern for their children, hear about their triumphs and defeats and learn how to help them through childhood crises both large and small.”
Tucker said individuals can take advantage of the following strategies to get their family to the dinner table:
• Make mealtime pleasant. Set a good example by taking turns talking and listening without interruption. Postpone negative or difficult conversations about grades or behavior until another time.
• Congratulate good manners. If children are keeping their elbows off the table, tell them they are doing a good job. If they ask why good manners are important, tell them good manners are a way of showing respect for others that will help them feel more confident in social situations away from home.
• Serve a variety of foods. Nutritionists say a parent’s job is to offer a variety of foods in a pleasant atmosphere, while the child’s job is to choose how much or whether or not to eat. Parents can find ideas for meals by visiting www.myplate.gov.
• Do not label foods as “good” or “bad.” By constantly drawing attention to the differences between healthy food and junk food, parents may accidentally create a situation where children feel deprived of certain foods and find other ways to eat them. When all types of foods are offered in a trusting atmosphere, children will most often choose to eat nutritiously.
• Keep meals simple and easy. Save the elaborate menus for when you have time to prepare and enjoy them.
• Eliminate interruptions and distractions. Create a welcoming atmosphere by turning off the TV and radio and making sure cellphones are put away.
• Be creative and flexible. Make the most of every opportunity to eat together instead of worrying about following a strict schedule. Keep in mind that family meals can be shared at home, in a restaurant or at the park. Simply eat with your children whenever possible, even if not every day.
Tucker reminds parents that children often take more time to eat than adults.
“Take your time throughout dinner and enjoy the extra few minutes sitting at the table before cleaning up,” she said. “Just enjoy the shared experience, as these will be the memories that stay with family members.”
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