You may have heard the quote by Elder Dallin H Oaks, "what your kids really want for dinner is you" from his November 2007 General Conference address on "Good, Better, Best." In this talk Elder Oaks cites benefits family members obtain from family meals.
Research shows that family meals lead to healthier weights, better intake of nutrient-rich foods, lower consumption of junk foods, enhanced academic performance, and improved social skills. BYU Wellness published a newsletter on this topic in 2009: Are family meals dead?
In addition to these listed benefits, family meal times also provide an opportunity for parents to model good eating behaviors (i.e. trying new foods and eating a meal balanced in grains, fruits, vegetables, and proteins).
Parents pack more punch than they may think when it comes to influencing the foods their kids eat. According to a survey by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), parents are actually more influential than sports stars and celebrities! Children learn healthy eating behaviors and beliefs from what they observe in the home. See the ADA article on this topic: It's Amazing What Kids will Try: Healthy Foods!
March is National Nutrition Month. It is a great time to check your own food beliefs and behaviors and think about how you could improve the example you set in your home.
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