The “Family Dinner Project” is a nonprofit organization at Harvard University. This is a growing movement of “food, fun, and conversations about things that matter.” There has been a lot of research looking at the relationship between regular family meals and the physical, mental, and emotional benefits that come with them.
Family meals have been found to improve:
- Academic performance
- Higher self-esteem
- Greater sense of resilience
- Lower risk of substance abuse
- Lower risk of teen pregnancy
- Lower risk of depression
- Lower likelihood of developing eating disorders
- Lower rates of obesity
The Family Dinner Project has a website that is a great resource for families trying to eat healthier on a budget, together. You can find weekly dinner menus with recipes and a shopping list as well as conversation starters.
Learn more and find healthy budget tips here: https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/about-us/benefits-of-family-dinners/
-Amy Owens, Dietetic Intern