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March 23, 2006
I made my family a “Scandinavian church dinner” the other night. We had tuna casserole and red Jell-O with mandarin oranges. I made lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar for dessert. The only items missing from the buffet lines of my childhood were buttered slices of bread, home-made pickles and glasses of lemonade. We of Scandinavian descent often are teased about our “neutral-colored” food. Actually I was a bit bold. I didn’t top the bright, red Jell-O with whipped topping. My kids loved the meal. They ate every bite. My husband ate the meal, but he didn’t rave about it. I think he had a container of hot pepper sauce by his plate. He thinks some of my old recipes are a little bland. I’ll keep hot sauce on the grocery list. I was a little nostalgic as I planned our meal. I had been working on a presentation about family meals. As I read about the topic, I conjured up some “food memories” about menus from my past and brought the recipes to life. Researchers are studying the important ways that family meals affect children and families. Sharing food with others is part of every culture. Trouble is, the fast pace of today’s lifestyles is making the family meal a relic of the past in many homes. According to national studies, only one-third of teens eat dinner with their family every day, but teens do like family meals. About 79 percent of teens said they enjoyed eating meals with their families. As children move into the high school years, fewer meals are eaten together as children become more involved in school activities and part-time jobs. That’s the time when family meals are most important. Studies have shown that teens who eat family meals are less likely to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Family meals encourage open communication, too. They allow parents to learn about a child’s likes and dislikes and can help the parent direct the child to positive behavior, such as good manners. Family meals encourage the learning of words among children. One study showed that mealtime chats generate more discussions than playing with toys or reading stories. Even the squabbles at the family table have a role. Children learn about the fine art of negotiation while angling for a larger piece of dessert. Families who eat together also eat more healthfully. They eat more fruits, vegetables, grains and calcium-rich foods, and consume fewer soft drinks. Nutrientwise, they consume more iron, folate, fiber and vitamins A and C. Food, of course, means more than fat, protein and carbohydrates to keep us “fueled.” Enjoying food together promotes strong family bonds. Eating together is a way that people share their culture and form lasting, pleasant memories. Make family meals a priority. Aim for at least four family meals a week. Be flexible in the timing and location to make the meals happen. Keep the menus simple. Here’s a recipe for a family meal. You can make it as hot or mild as your family prefers by varying the salsa. Better yet, invite your children or grandchildren into the kitchen to help prepare it. Add a platter of fruit, carrot sticks and milk for a colorful, balanced meal.
### Source:
Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
Market Advisor: |
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North Dakota State University |
