Article published September 22, 2009
Families gather around food
Let’s give three cheers for family meals!
Although it may seem simple and old-fashioned to some, taking time out for family meals has many benefits. Most of all, it can have a positive effect upon the character and social development of children, according to information from Ohio State University.
Plus, the nutritional intake of the entire family, the development of family traditions, and the culinary skills of family members all are improved or increased.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University celebrates “Family Day, A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Family” Monday. Their Web site is casafamilyday.org/familyday.
Washington State University Extension has a good Web site with information on “Eat Better; Eat Together” and they celebrate October as National Eat Together Month. Go to nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/index.html.
Yes, athletics for kids and evening meetings for parents make it difficult to schedule a meal together, much less cook it when you are transporting youngsters to all the after-school activities.
It is also really difficult to schedule a meal, shop ahead, and cook ahead if need be. A slow-cooker can be a life saver on those busy weeknights.
And when dinners are fi nally enjoyed, sometimes as late as 8 p.m., there’s still homework and countless other projects that need to be addressed.
That’s why a pot of chili or barbecued beef or a pasta dish can be go-to meals. One single father I knew had his menus worked out for two weeks at a time. Every night he knew what to fix for his two young children. Sometimes it was grilled cheese and tomato soup out of a can, but they sat down together.
Make your family tacos or a hot turkey sandwich plate with turkey made during the weekend plus canned gravy and instant mashed potatoes.
OSU experts advise:
• Set a pattern of family dinners when children are young so it becomes a habit.
• Make family meals a priority, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or
dinner, eaten at home or in a restaurant. Spend time together.
• Turn off the television, radio, and other distractions.
• Allow everyone to contribute to the conversation. Keep the talk polite. Avoid conflict and discipline.
• Listen to other family members’ thoughts and views.
• Get every family member involved in planning menus, shopping
for groceries, setting the table, chopping vegetables, and doing the dishes.
• Parents should be role models for healthy eating. You can also celebrate Family Day Monday by entering an original family recipe in the Spreading Smucker’s Traditions contest.
Recipes should have at least one fourth cup of Smucker’s jams, jellies, preserves, or fruit butter and provide the story behind how their recipe makes family celebrations special. The recipe must have been passed down for at least two generations or currently being passed on to a second generation.
Deadline for entries is Oct. 12. For official rules and entry forms, visit smuckers.com.
Kathie Smith is The Blade’s food
editor.
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