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Family Dinner, A Time For Healthy Eating

Recent studies show that children love to sit down at the kitchen table and have a meal with their family. Additionally, they are encouraged to eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal when they eat a family supper. A number of health care professionals believe that having dinner together is a critical piece of preventing childhood obesity puzzle. But with the furiously paced lives families seem to lead these days, assembling the family all together in the same place at the same time can be a insurmountable chore. Between work schedules, after-school activities, errands, and the like, it seems we have less and less time.   However with a few simple ideas and some arrangement, meal time can be a treasured and enjoyable family time.
Allocate no less than one night per week to have a sit-down meal with your family.  Sunday nights are usually a good choice for this event because you have more time to enjoy and the weekend projects have been completed. Next, the parents should think up ways to spruce up the family meal.
Tell a Ridiculous Story About Dogs Night. Suggest it a few of days ahead of time, so people will have time to prepare. A couple of ground rules: Everyone gets to tell their story uninterrupted. And each person thanks the person who has taken a turn before him or her.
Pretend We’re at a Dinner Theater Night. Use our indoor voices, and eat in a civilized way and act polite.
Tell Something Good About Broccoli Night. You don’t have to eat it, you just have to research it and tell the rest of the family something good about it.
Pretend We’re on an Island Where There’s Nothing to Eat but Vegetables Night. Be sure to take requests.
Involve your children in choosing the meal and preparation.  This gives them a strong sense of self and the basis for a life of healthy meal planning and preparation.
Avoid outside interruptions. Be certain the television is off, and establish that all phone calls go to voice mail or the answering machine during the meal.  Take this time to visit with one another and enjoy one another’s presence.  This is a good time to reconnect and dig up what events occurred this week.  Take your time eating, and teach your children how to do the same in the process.  Slowly eating is a healthy habit.  Don’t jump up and start clearing dishes and putting things away until all are done eating and talking.
Doing your meals this way at least once a week should provide a substantial groundwork for healthy diet and healthy living for you and your family.

About the Author

Derrel Allen is a father of five, information technology adviser and professional entertainer. Read more about kids party entertainment at his website http://www.myseomagic.com

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