Eating together with family or friends around the table

 has great benefits; more than you might realize!

Here are some of the benefits of eating healthy together:

• Sharing in conversation allows time for digestion, and you are less likely to overeat.

• Meals at the table tend to have more balanced nutritious ingredients with servings of fruits and vegetables.

• Children who eat with family tend to be less picky as they are exposed to a wider variety of nutritious foods.

• Children, including teens, that eat meals with family may even get higher grades in school, are less likely to have depression and partake in high-risk behaviors (use of drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol).

• Eating together can reduce stress, boost self-esteem and make everyone feel more connected.

Connected at the table: The importance of family meals - Child Trends – ChildTrends

Finding the time to eat together can be challenging with busy schedules. However, even 3 meals together a week can help build healthy habits.

Here are a few tips:

• Make it fun for children to try new fruits and veggies. Let them pick a new fruit or vegetable to try at the next sit-down dinner.

• Be a good role model for your children. Teach your children how much of each food group we need, and then practice what you teach with your children.

• Cook more at home to have more control what goes into your meal; and less eating out.

• Experiment with healthier cooking techniques. Slow-cooking, roasting, grilling, baking or steaming are all great options that help limit unhealthy fats and added calories.

• Try getting your kids in the kitchen. Let them help by allowing them to choose healthy recipes, and they can also help prepare the meals.

• Watch out for added sugars. They are calories with no nutritional benefits. Sugar-sweetened beverages and soft drinks are the number one source of added sugars for most of us. Try to save them for special occasions.

The benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite!

For more information visit: 30 Tips to Help Your Family Eat Better | American Heart Association

Eating Healthy on a Budget

is possible!

Healthy eating is important at every age, and it is possible on a budget. Start with these tips!

Click here for a printable Eat Healthy on a Budget tip sheet!

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