Make Time for Family Dinners

As we head into 2016, resolve to make time for family meals. Convinced your schedule is too packed? Take a look at your mealtime strategy; dinner does not need to be an elaborate meal in order to be delicious, satisfying and healthy. You can make more family meals happen with a few simple tips.

•  Make a schedule: Take a look at the calendar and choose a time that will work for all or most of your family members. Mark ‘family meal’ on the time that works best each day and commit to it like you would any other appointment.
• Plan ahead: Write down what you plan to serve for dinner each night of the week. You can buy all ingredients you need over the weekend -- preventing the need to make a hurried stop after work. Furthermore, there will be less temptation to swing by the drive-thru or order takeout if you already have a meal in mind,
• Prepare: Complete any meal prep that you can over the weekend to make the cooking process faster. Slice up the veggies you will need in advance and keep them in containers so they are ready to go. You can also cook and freeze an entrée to heat up later in the week.
•  Keep it simple: No one is expecting you to prepare an elaborate meal with tons of ingredients. Look for recipes with short ingredient lists and minimal prep time. Aim for a balanced meal that provides lean protein, complex carbohydrates, fruits and veggies.
• Get the kids involved: Have the kids help with the food shopping and cooking. Not only is it nice to have the extra hands, it is also a great way to get kids excited about healthy foods. They are much more likely to eat their veggies if they have a part in choosing and preparing them.

Bottom Line: Making time for family dinners may require a little bit of planning, but it offers many rewards. Winding down at the table to share a meal teaches children how to build a healthy, balanced plate. Sitting down for a meal often leads to more mindful eating, which can help prevent overeating. Family dinners will promote healthy eating habits while also providing extra family time -- sounds like a win/win!

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