Family Mealtimes Made Easy Simple Ways to Enjoy Eating and Talking TOGETHER

Family MealtimesMade Easy

Simple Ways to Enjoy Eating and Talking

TOGETHER

"If I had to settle for one thing to tell families about preventing child overweight, helping children to eat a variety of food, and raising them to have positive eating attitudes and behaviors, I would say, have meals.”

Ellyn Satter, MS, RD, LCSW, author Your Child’s Weight: Helping Without Harming

Family Mealtimes

Making a commitment to enjoy eating together

More family mealtimes

• Add meals gradually

• Plan tasty menus

• Set an appealing table

• Minimize distractions

• Enjoy conversations

Add mealtimes gradually

Experts suggest 5 or more family meals per week.

• How many family meals do you usually have now?

• How could you easily add one more family meal per week?

Plan simple, tasty menus

Get kids involved in:• Planning

• Shopping

• Preparing

• Cooking

• Enjoying

Set an appealing table

Simple ways to set a mood:• Colored napkins• Bright tablecloth• Kids’ artwork• Flowers• A candle

Minimize distractions

• Turn off the TV, iPods, radio, and cell-phones (except for emergencies).

• Turn on calm music.

• Enjoy each other.

Enjoy easy conversations

• Create a relaxed atmosphere.• Involve every family member.• Focus on togetherness.• Use conversation cards.

Family MealtimesLaughingTalking

ListeningSharingCaring

“Growing up it was always so much fun trying to help mom or grandma cook, then when it came time to eat you were proud of the fact that you helped make something that everyone could enjoy.”

Mealtime memory from teacher in Wyoming

www.school-wellness.org

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