Eating dinner together as a family can have many benefits, including:
- Mental health: Research shows that regular family meals can help improve mental health, including reducing the risk of depression, eating disorders, and substance use. Family meals can also help children and teens develop resiliency and self-esteem.
- Communication: Family meals can help children practice communication skills and give family members a chance to share their experiences, observations, and ideas.
- Relationships: Family meals can help strengthen family bonds and keep family members in touch with each other.
- Healthy eating: Family meals can help promote healthier eating habits, such as eating more fruits and vegetables and less fast food and sugary drinks.