Transcript MAKING MEALTIME FUN AND EASY

What one activity…
improves your
family’s health?
helps your kids do
better in school?
What one activity…
decreases the chance your kids
will drink, smoke, or use drugs?
builds your child’s
self-esteem?
What one activity…
helps girls have a
healthy body image?
builds family traditions?
You guessed it!
Sharing family meals can help
make these things happen.
It’s the most important
20 minutes of your day…
Families share more time
together at meals than
any other activity.
Share your favorite childhood
memory of a family meal.
Why is
family mealtime
so important?
When families eat together,
children are healthier
in MANY ways.
What are families eating?
Too much:
•Big portions
•Calories
•Sugar
•Salt
•Fat
But not enough:
•Breakfast
•Water
•Milk/calcium foods
•Fruits
•Vegetables
•Whole grains
Families eating together have:
• More fruits and
vegetables
• More milk and less
soda
• Fewer fatty, fried
foods
• More nutrients to
grow on
When families eat together,
children do better in school.
When families eat together,
kids are less likely to engage
in risky behaviors.
•
•
•
•
Smoking
Drinking
Using drugs
Having friends with risky behaviors
When families eat together,
they save money
When families
eat together,
they strengthen
relationships.
When families eat together,
they build traditions.
What are
mealtime challenges
for you
and your family?
Keep mealtime SIMPLE.
Are cell phones
a challenge
at family mealtime?
What happens when TV
is on at mealtime?
Mealtime
is a great
opportunity
for parents
to teach
by example.
Tips for talking together
as a family
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Be curious about your children’s ideas.
Listen, listen, listen with respect.
Encourage everyone to talk.
Look at the speaker.
Take turns.
Let’s try a Conversation Starter!
• What is an open-ended question?
• Why are they a good idea?
• How might your family use the
Conversation Starters?
Eat five family meals
together each week.
How can you overcome
the challenges?
Step 1: Talk about family mealtimes
Step 2: Make a plan together
Step 3: Set ground rules
“One positive thing I will do
for our family mealtime is…”
Strong Families Eat Together
Mealtime is a powerful and pleasant
experience when families:
Value it
Share their ideas about it
Plan ahead
Make it happen
Questions?
Thank you for completing
the evaluation.
WVU Extension - Families & Health Programs
Some photos used with permission of the American Dietetic Association.