Healthy Eating

Family Meals
Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of
of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals
are also:

• more likely to eat fruits,vegetables and grains.
• less likely to snacks and unhealthy food.
• less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol.

Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal- not surprising bevause they're
busy and want to be more independent. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and consel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect. Also, consider trying thrsr strategies:

• Allow your teen to invite a friend to dinner.
• Involve your teen in meal planning and preperatiom.
• Keep mealtime calm and congenial- no levtures or arguing.

What counts as your family meal? Any time you and your family eat together - whether it's takeout food or a home - cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutricious food and time when every can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accomodate a child who's at sports practice or other extra cariculler activities. It also mean setting aside time on weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group.