Family Meals Create Better Eating Habits

According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, eating together as a family during adolescence is associated with lasting positive effects on dietary quality in young adulthood.

Students surveyed as teenagers were surveyed again at twenty years old to determine the long term effects of eating family meals.  Researchers found that eating family meals together during childhood resulted in adults who ate more fruits and vegetables, and drank less soft drinks.

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Researchers went on to say,

“Results of this study suggest that having more family meals during adolescence is associated with improved diet quality during young adulthood.  Food and nutrition professionals should encourage families to share meals as often as possible.”

All the more reason to sit down with our kids and eat meals together.

To get them even more involved, have them help in the kitchen.  They will be more likely to eat what’s on their plate if they helped prepare it.

Image credit:  majorbonnet on flickr creative commons.

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