September is National Family Meals Month: The Power of Eating Together

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Did you know that September is Family Meals Month? This movement is aimed at encouraging families to share more meals together at home. In today’s world, we have very busy schedules and its easy for that to get in the way of a family meal. Research shows that sitting down as a family has lasting benefits for children and adults (Barton et al., 2019, Berge et al., 2012). 
Families who eat more regularly together typically: 
• Consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Have better overall diet quality and nutrient intake
• Show stronger family connections and improved communication
• Experience lower rates of risky behaviors in adolescents
Tips for Making Family Meals Easier:
• Start with one meal together- breakfast and lunch on the weekends counts too! Aim for a few meals a week 
• Keep it simple- meals do not need to be complicated
• Get everyone involved- kids can wash produce or set the table or teens can choose a recipe or prep a side dish. Sharing responsibilities helps build confidence and teamwork
• Create tech free zones- encourage everyone to put phones/tablets aside during meals to foster conversations
• Focus on connection, not perfection- even if its takeout eaten around the table, the act of being together matters most
Quick Ideas for Busy Nights: 
• Sheet pan dinners- roast chicken, potatoes, and seasonal veggies all at once for minimal cleanup
• Breakfast for dinner- whole grain waffles, scrambled eggs, and fruit
• DIY Salad Night- Provide a base of greens and let family members customize with proteins, toppings, and dressings

This September, giving celebrating National Family Meals Month a try! Find ways to enjoy more meals together. Whether it’s cooking a simple recipe, involving kids in meal prep or simply gathering around the table, each shared meal is an opportunity to nourish both body and relationships. 

-M.S.




Barton, A. W., Brody, G. H., Yu, T., Kogan, S. M., Chen, E., & Ehrlich, K. B. (2019). The Profundity of the Everyday: Family Routines in Adolescence Predict Development in Young Adulthood. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 64(3), 340–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.08.029
Berge, J. M., MacLehose, R. F., Loth, K. A., Eisenberg, M. E., Fulkerson, J. A., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2012). Family meals. Associations with weight and eating behaviors among mothers and fathers. Appetite, 58(3), 1128–1135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.03.008
Family meals movement. www.fmi.org. https://www.fmi.org/family-meals-movement








Comments

  1. Caitlyn HendershotSeptember 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM

    There are so many benefits to eating as a family! I grew up always eating dinner with my family and hope to continue with that in the future. I like that you included a few meal ideas and will definitely have to try those sometime!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lillian GroffOctober 8, 2025 at 9:14 PM

    I never knew of so many great benefits of eating as a family! I definitely think having kids and teens be involved in the meal cooking process can be super beneficial at building their connection and confidence! Great post!

    ReplyDelete

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