Mental health: Why regular family meals protect children

Time is short in many families. So scarce that parents and children rarely have time to eat together. That's unfortunate. Not just for cohesion within the family.

Numerous studies show that children who regularly sit at the table with parents and siblings benefit greatly both physically and mentally. You can read how exactly here:

1. Eating together is good for mental health

One conducted in CanadaStudyshows that children who eat regularly with their families have greater self-esteem and do better in school.

There is also a lower risk that they will consume alcohol or drugs. According to the scientists, eating disorders, depression and violent behavior are also less common among these children.

According to the researchers, girls' psychology in particular would benefit from eating regularly with their parents.

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2. Family meals are usually healthier

Children who eat with their parents tend to eat healthier. For the simple reason that people cook more often and fast food ends up on the plate less often.

The time you inevitably have to take when you eat together also plays a big role in health. Because if you eat together, you chat while you eat and automatically eat more slowly.

3. Eating together prevents obesity

One carried out over 10 yearsInvestigationfrom the USA shows that just one or two family meals a week are enough to better protect a child from becoming overweight. According to the study results, the more regularly families eat together, the more often children eat fruit and vegetables and the stronger the effect.

The reason for this: If you eat regularly, three or four times a day, you snack less between meals. In addition, awareness of one's own feeling of hunger increases, for the simple reason that there are conscious breaks between meals. But the feeling of satiety is also trained through regular eating and breaks.

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4. Family meals provide structure

A fixed plan helps young children in particular to orientate themselves within the day. Small children don't know what time it is or when they have to go to sleep, for example.

Eating regularly at fixed times is a huge help. The child thereby gains a certain security for the simple reason that he knows what will happen next, e.g. B. the afternoon nap after lunch.

Older children and we adults also benefit from the structure of everyday life through shared meals. They help us to switch off from time to time, briefly recharge our batteries and then get going again.

Reading tip: Education:

5. Children learn table manners and etiquette

Children who often eat with siblings and parents also learn the most important table manners. And you really need it for the rest of your life.

We also learn how to treat each other in a friendly manner through our shared mealtime routine.

Taking the time to eat together has many benefits – and not just for the children!