Back To The Table: 10 Top Mealtime Tips

Eating well is one of life’s important issues and parents need to be willing to devote time and energy to it. Our Back To The Table tips will help if you don't know where to start.

• Don’t set rigid, unachievable goals. If eating together everyday is almost impossible set a target of 3-4 meals per week.
  
  
• When time is of the essence, keep meals simple yet nutritious.
  
  
• Encourage the children to help prepare the meals, set the table and help with the dishes.
  
  
• Turn the TV off to ensure quality time for conversations and no distractions.
  
  
• Get family members involved at the table; share favourite parts of the day, discuss shared activities, plan the next day’s dinner.
  
  
• Have some guidelines, such as no fighting or teasing.
  
  
• Try not to control conversations and or suppress children’s opinions at the table.
  
  
• Be open to trying new foods and new ways of cooking. You can save time by cooking double the quantities of a favourite recipe, and then freeze it to enjoy another evening.
  
  
• Plan ahead to anticipate work, school and other activities that may affect the timing of meals.
  
  
• If you’re not used to eating together, it may be difficult at first, conversation may be slow. Persevere and it will undoubtedly get easier.