Including
your children in the meal preparation process increases their awareness
and appetite for healthy eating. When we as parents communicate
interest and enthusiasm for making healthy meals, we are more likely to
instill the same attitudes in our kids. The next time you are unsure
about the importance of family meals, consider how shopping, cooking,
and eating together will reinforce your family’s healthy habits by:
- Empowering your kids: Teaching your kids how to
cook is something that will help them to make their own healthy choices
as they grow up. Cooking will allow your kids to develop their food
preferences and understanding of nutrition to apply into their own
healthy lifestyles.
- Improving Communication. Shared meals create an
additional avenue of communication for families. It can be a place to
discuss the day’s events, enjoy each other’s company, and provide a time
for family discussions. Asking open-ended questions such as “How was
your day?” rather than “Did you have a good day?” will help stimulate
more conversation topics and provide better understanding between family
members.
- Forming Mindful Eating Habits. Rather than eating in front of a television or computer screen, family meals will create mindful eating habits where
kids can learn to listen to their bodies. When we eat slowly and
without distractions, we are more aware of our hunger levels and are
less likely to overeat.
- Developing Routines and Expectations. A planned
daily, weekly, or even monthly meal plan can improve a family’s
functionality and routine. When parents set aside special times for
meals with their family, this further this lets kids know that this is
an important and special time in the household. It’s important for
parents to keep to the scheduled times planned for family meals so that
their children know they can count on their parents to remain reliable.
- Improving Physical Health. In general, meals are
often healthier when they are prepared at home before hand. It’s hard to
know what fast food restaurants and other places put into the foods
that they serve. When meals are fixed at home, it is often less
processed and healthier.
Comments
Post a Comment