Family dinners have long been an American ritual but with hectic schedules these days, it can be hard to get everyone in the same place at the same time for a sit-down meal. Yet research is finding that the benefits of this simple custom go far beyond just banishing hunger pangs. Studies link the practice to healthier children, who earn better grades and are more likely to resist risky adolescent behaviors as they grow older. *
Researchers have also found family dining contributes to healthier, more balanced diets and sensible attitudes about food. So in support of healthy family lifestyles, Mississippi beef producers have joined all U.S. beef producers in pooling funds through the Beef Checkoff Program to create an informative and fun website, www.Family-Mealtimes.org. ³The beef council heartily supports the idea that shared meals create strong family ties and healthier eating habits,² said beef council president Larry Jefcoat. ³Lean beef is a good addition to those family mealtime menus because it¹s popular, convenient and so nutritious.²
To turn family meal planning from chore to achievement, visit www.Family-Mealtimes.org for simple, creative ways to share family meals and fun, Jefcoat explained. Among the site resources: easy recipes for family-approved meals and snacks, ideas for kid-cooked meals, nutrition facts and imaginative ways and places to enjoy a family meal such as a drive-in on the driveway.
Other advice from www.FamilyMealtimes.org:
* Plan simple, wholesome meals and let each family member pick an
entrée during the week.
* Declare a ³distraction free² zone during meals. Turn off TV and
phones (except for emergencies) for 30 minutes
* Remember conversations go hand in hand with meals and will help
you learn more about your children¹s lives and the challenges they face.
The Mississippi Beef Council reminds people that 2008 Family Day, a Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children is Monday, Sept. 22. This national effort was launched in 2001 by the National Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse
(CASA) at Columbia University. The center has studied the link between family social health and substance abuse for years. (www.CASAFamilyDay.org)
