Family Meals -- What Does It Mean to You?

One issue identified, as being essential to promote a healthy diet, and conversely to fight obesity -- is families eating together.  This is so hard as everyone is always on the run -- as seen below.

At Baltimore's Baybrook Elementary School's after school program -- children read aloud a book entitled "Family Meals" as part of the Maryland SNAP-Ed Program.  This bilingual book (Spanish on one side and English on the other) highlights key messages and key ideas for eating with families and is fun to read. E.g. "loved and secure -- is how I feel -- each time we share -- a family meal" or "When I am at the table - I watch and listen to you.  My manners and habits are formed - by doing what you do".  Several copies of the book were used, and everyone got a chance to read a page.  Ms. Brown, our leader, also read the book a second time in Spanish with someone then reading the section in English with all children following the words and the pictures.  The activity was to make a fruit and veggie salad.  Initially when the idea of eating a salad was mentioned -- not everyone was excited, but once we all had roles in making the salad -- it became quiet and very busy.  Everyone worked hard to prepare our snack.

Once the salad was made - everyone ate it....And there were almost no leftovers.  From the book we all learned -- "New foods are a mystery, but seeing them again and again, I will touch, taste and reject some before I learn to like them".

Posted on behalf of Dottie Dietitian 

The Importance of Family Meals

By: Angela A. Farris, MA

During my rotation at Montgomery County School Lunch I was able to teach a FSNE (Food Stamp Nutrition Education) lesson about the importance of family meals to an engaged group of 2nd graders. Together we read a book called 'Family Meals' which was about a young bunny named Hop-a-lot who found all of the benefits of eating together with his family. It turns out the kids already knew that it was better to eat with their family at a table than in front of the TV, but they agreed it was difficult to always make time with their families' busy schedules.

Here are a few of the benefits we discussed:

• We're more likely to eat healthy, complete meals when we eat as a family.
• You'll be able to talk more about your day and your feedings with your family members.
• You feel safe when you're with your family
• You're less likely to over eat if you're concentrating on eating dinner and not distracted by the TV.
• Eating as a family at home is less stressful than eating on-the-go in a car or at a fast food restaurant.

Here is a photo of myself reading Family Meals to 2nd graders!

Another highlight of my FSNE lesson was the when we were able to try a new food. This particular day the new food was....Pasta salad! Ingredients included raw eggplant, grape tomatoes, green bell pepper, whole wheat pasta, and italian dressing. Everyone received a bowl to try. The actual pasta salad received mixed reviews; but the goal was for each child to try something NEW which was certainly accomplished. Handouts were provided with the pasta salad recipe for each child to bring home to their family.