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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
For more information and recipes visit