Family Meals Matter

For busy families, finding time to eat together isn’t always easy. But coming together around the dinner table isn’t just about keeping hungry bellies full. Family meals nourish the spirit and the brain.

Research has shown that children who grow up sharing family meals are more likely to exhibit positive behavior as adults, such as sharing, fairness and respect. It has also found that with each additional family meal shared during the week, adolescents are less likely to show symptoms of violence, depression and suicide.

If you struggle to make family meal time happen, try these tips from the Food Marketing Institute Foundation, creator of the National Family Meals Movement:

• Involve your children in shopping, meal planning and meal preparation.
• Prepare extras of family favorites that you can freeze for later.
• Embrace convenience. Frozen and canned produce can be quick additions to many recipes.

These two recipes can help you plan ahead for a healthy family meal.