Katie Thompson, a Registered Dietitian at the Bear River Health Department who works with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, discusses the benefits of having family meal time.
The benefits of FAmily Mealtime
As the holidays approach, many families spend more time together — and that often means gathering around the table for shared meals. Eating together as a family offers many benefits that support children’s health, development, and emotional well-being.
Family meals help children in a variety of ways. Younger children develop better language skills, eat a wider variety of foods, and have lower rates of childhood obesity. For teenagers, regular family meals are linked to better mental health, improved academic performance, and a lower likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors like underage drinking or smoking.
Making Family Meals Work
Busy schedules and picky eaters can make mealtime challenging, but simple strategies can help. Families should aim to serve the same food to everyone rather than preparing separate meals. This allows children to be exposed to a variety of foods, even if they don’t always eat everything on their plates. Parents can consider each child’s preferences while still maintaining one shared meal.
Katie recommends letting children decide how much to eat from what’s offered. This helps them build a healthy relationship with food and learn to trust their hunger and fullness cues.
Ideally, each meal should include a source of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. However, flexibility is important — do the best you can with the time and resources available. Offering a variety of foods over time supports better nutrition and overall health.
W.I.c. Can Help
The WIC program at the Bear River Health Department helps families access nutritious foods and education to support healthy eating habits. WIC provides foods from all major food groups for those who qualify.
If you are pregnant, have recently had a baby, or have children under five, the Bear River Health Department invites you to see if you qualify for WIC services. You can call 435-792-6500, apply online, or visit one of our offices in person.
Healthy meals start with small, consistent steps — and family mealtime is a great place to begin.