Sports practice, music lessons, and long workdays are all factors that contribute to family dinnertime becoming a thing of the past. But studies indicate that family dinnertime improves both the nutritional and mental health of children. Maybe your family should consider ways to get family dinner hour back on the table.
According to the Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), research has consistently shown that the more often teens had dinner with their families—about five days a week—the less likely they were to smoke, drink, or use drugs. The study suggests that teens want more family time, with more than one-quarter of them desiring more frequent family dinners.
Family dinnertime is all too often consumed while watching television. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that more than 42 percent of dinners eaten at home by Houston-area fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders during a one-week survey were consumed while watching television.
"These findings are troubling because family meals are important for children, from both a nutritional and a developmental standpoint," said Dr. Karen Cullen, a behavioral nutritionist with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, as reported on kidsnutrition.org.
"Parents' table talk can help children to understand their families," Cullen said. "Positive family mealtime conversations can also build children's self-esteem and foster positive relationships that help children and parents talk through tough issues when they arise."
Family dinner hour plays an important role in helping children learn good eating habits as well as bond with parents. Making a menu each week is a great strategy for getting family hour back. Not only does it save time by not having to make frequent stops at the supermarket, it will also save you a lot of money for your food budget.
According to Leanne Ely, a certified nutritional consultant who provides timely tips and techniques on her Web site (www.savingdinner.com), "A simple thing like keeping a running grocery list on the fridge will help you avoid last minute trips to the grocery store. Your family will be eating healthier and you won't be as stressed out because you know what's for dinner Tuesday night.
Busy families can consider subscribing to Ely's weekly online menu-mailer that provides recipes, shopping tips, and nutritional information.
Given the powerful impact family dinner has on kids, it's worth the time and effort to bring this special time back. At the very least, family dinner hour should be spent together three times a week.
Because of the importance of frequent family dinners and the powerful impact that parental engagement has in preventing teen substance abuse, families should identify and work to overcome the barriers and incorporate family dining into their schedules.
Simple Tips to Bring Back the Family Dinner
• Keep it simple. Family meals don't have to be elaborate.• Plan out your meals on a weekly schedule. You will save time by not having to make frequent stops at the market.
• Get the family involved.
• Keep the conversation light and enjoyable.
• Turn off the television and let the answering machine take the calls. • Set the mood by lighting a candle.
• Make a tasty dessert like low-fat, instant pudding with bananas.
Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
1 large onion, sliced thinly 1 green or red pepper sliced 1 1/2 lbs. boneless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large can diced tomatoes 1 6-ounce can of tomato paste 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning8 ounces fresh mushroom
1/4 c. dry white wine
1/4 c. water
Salt and pepper to taste
Place the onion in the bottom of the crock pot. Place chicken on the onion. Mix together tomato paste, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, pepper, salt and pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, wine, and water in a bowl. Pour mixture over chicken and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Serve with pasta. Serves 4
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