Richard Rayner, MD
Gathering the household to share a meal is a great way to promote family identity, share stories, and create memories — to bond. Hectic schedules squeeze out the chance to gather for both nourishment and fellowship.
In addition to making time for dinner, comes the challenge of making dinner. While this is not a how-to article about nutrition, I do want to offer some principles about food choices and the family meal.
First, we have to acknowledge that eating together will take some forethought and planning. “Just grabbing something” can work for certain times. But dining together means planning the time to be together, and thinking ahead about what you will share together. Whoever is leading the home and/or doing the shopping, this is where you come in. Taking time at regular intervals to plan meals will need to become a priority. If you’re not in the habit of meal planning, start slowly with the goal of creating and sharing two meals a week for the next two weeks. Then shoot for three, then four. Grow as you are able.
Second, start with food that already has some meaning to the family. Is there a favorite family food? Even if it isn’t the healthiest thing you could eat, use that dish as an encouragement for participation in this new event. Make a big deal out of it! Send out invitations to those in your household for a few laughs. Not sure what to have? Survey your family for their top five choices. Even if it initially has to be take-out, the goal is to have the time together.
Third, begin to try and develop some new family favorites. And while you’re at it, try researching some healthier options for favorites that may not naturally be the most nutritious. There are many online resources for recipes. It may be a stretch initially, but keep at it. Maybe let individual family members try their hand at being the chef for the night. Be adventurous. Promote team culture by making sure everyone tries everything, especially if one of the junior chefs has made it. The flops will turn into family lore, stories that will be told for years to come — your family’s stories.
Lastly, be ready for conflict. Especially if you have teens in your home; this new routine may come as a shock and may be seen as an imposition. That’s OK. Work with it, but hold your ground! Decide where you ultimately want your family unit to go, and be happy with small steps in that direction.
What to make for dinner? Strive to make nutritious and interesting meals. But mostly, make a tradition where family connections spark while the necessary feeding happens.
