Family mealtimes shouldn’t be a challenge, but they notoriously are. Whether it’s fussy eaters, trying to get family members together at the same time, or trying to get children to sit still in front of their plate, mealtimes are often about anything other than healthy family recipes. Nevertheless, family mealtimes should be focused on a positive and healthy lifestyle, and also an opportunity to bond with those you love over delicious food. Even if you’re not particularly a foodie family, there is a great pleasure that can be shared between appetising plates of food regularly. 

So, if you’re looking to make family mealtimes your favourite time of day, read on. 

1. Always Have a Designated Family Mealtime 

Eating healthily isn’t just about the food you consume. It’s also about the way you consume it. To encourage healthier eating habits for your family, you should think about sitting around a table together, with good posture to aid digestion and mindful eating, which means you are taking the time to chew and digest your meals instead of wolfing them down. 

Having set family mealtimes around the table also eliminates the possibility of distractions, like television and smart devices, meaning your mealtimes can have more focus on being together, and the food you’re eating. 

2. Try New Recipes 

This may seem a little obvious, but healthy cooking methods and ingredients are developing all the time, which means if you’re bookmarking pages of the same recipe book you’ve been using for years, you might be missing out. 

Especially with the rise in vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, healthy alternative options are always available if you take the time to look, including new avenues like CBD oil from CopeCBD, which you can easily add to your cooking.

3. Be a Good Role Model 

For a lot of parents, trying to encourage your children to eat any green-coloured food and the healthiest vegetables can be a challenge. Therefore, try always to coordinate your meals and let your children see you happily tucking into your vegetables, too. Try to give an even amount, so that your child doesn’t think they have been given a pile of vegetables to eat while you only have a few on your plate. 

4. Think About Deconstructed Food 

It can be more entertaining for children if they are given an exciting spread, which they need to put together themselves. If you set the table with a large variety of ingredients for a dish, your children may be more receptive if they can build up their plate themselves. Think about meal choices such as fajitas, wraps, or even just a variety of healthy side-dishes to choose from. This can also promote a more sociable atmosphere when everybody is tucking in (think family Christmas dinner without the extensive effort!) 

5. Get the Children Involved 

Your kids may be more interested in what they are eating if they can have a hand in preparing it. Showing your kids the methods which go into preparing and cooking a meal can pique their interest and make them feel more involved, as well as making them feel more at ease with certain ingredients.