More than nutrition: the benefits of a family dinner.

What do the experts say are the pros of switching off to some serious face time with the fam? We take a look at why it’s important.

Remember hearing, “Eat your greens” or “Chew slowly”? You might have your own dinner-time memories you’ve carried into adulthood.

Little did we know how vital those shared family mealtimes actually were. In fact, there’s a growing body of evidence that shared family meals hold the key to lots of long-term benefits both physical and psychological.

The close bonds formed over the table can be very powerful. Remember Anton Ego, the mean food critic in the animated film, Ratatouille?  One bite of Remy the rat’s ratatouille and he was transported back to his happy childhood. All those evocative memories came flooding back. Who says food is just food?

Life can be busy and complicated. We’re pressed for time, on the run and on the go.

Family members are so busy; no wonder it’s hard to get everyone to the table at the same time. For lots of families today, dinner is a meal on the run, eaten at different times and places.

Despite the challenges, there’s a lot to be gained from eating dinner as a family. In fact, family therapist, Anne Fishel quipped that she’d be out of a job if more families ate more meals together. But jokes aside, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of breaking bread with your family.

Studies have shown that family meals are healthier with more fruit, vegetables and dairy consumed.

This can help reduce obesity, particularly in children and teens.  Plus, a greater number of shared family meals can help reduce tobacco and alcohol use, and it seems that eating alone can actually be bad for your health, and can sometimes lead to the increased risk of certain health issues, like obesity.

Families who eat meals together are better able to deal with stress, according to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. Regular family meals can lead to reduced rates of depression and anxiety in adolescents and young adults. They’re also an opportunity to teach better table manners and to form more meaningful relationships with parents.

They’re also linked to lower rates of eating disorders, early teenage pregnancy and violent behaviour. Plus, family meals can help build relationships that create a sense of belonging and boost self-esteem.

So why not sit down and share a meal with your fam soon?

Here’s some ways to encourage shared family meals.

• Prioritise family meals and recognise their importance to everyone in the family
• Plan family meals in advance where possible
• Start small, for example, commit to a dinner once a week
•  Keep it simple if you’re busy – meals can be nutritious without being tricky
•  Engage each family member by preparing everyone’s favourites, in turn
•  Involve the kids in the preparation and clean-up of meals
• Turn off distractions like the TV
• You could also put your phones on pause for the duration of the meal with Optus Pause.

Find balance with Optus Pause. With the push of a button, you can control and “press pause” almost all of your Optus mobile and home wi-fi connections from My Optus app.