National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.
This year’s theme is “Beyond the Table,” which addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets. It also describes the various ways we eat and includes sustainability.
While this year’s theme for National Nutrition Month focused on nutrition “Beyond the Table” its also important to take a look at what’s happening “at the table”. The act of regularly eating together as a family is common to most cultures. Family meals offer the opportunity to spend time together, reconnect after a busy day,
communicate with and listen to each other, problem solve, and share ideas. As children age, and begin to pull away from the family unit, the frequency of family meals tends to decline. Making family meals a priority, starting when children are young, should be a top priority.
Proven benefits of family meals:
Improved academics
Improved family relationships & socialization
Improved nutrition & decreased obesity
Decreased screen time
Decreased risk of drug, alcohol, nicotine use
Improved mental health & emotional well being
Everyone, from children, to parents, and even the community benefit when families eat together. Families should aim to make mealtimes together a priority, when children are still young. The current digital age and hurried lifestyles can make it harder to connect. Take time to slow down and reconnect with those you love by
making meals together a priority. Everyone benefits when families eat together.
