Study Reveals Establishing Family Mealtime Routines Fosters Family Traditions

NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia, April, 2013 – Eating together as a family night after night, although recommended, can be more difficult than it sounds for parents of the 21st century. In between work, after-school activities, and housework – there doesn’t seem to be as much time to prepare and eat ‘sit down family meals’ anymore. However, recent research has revealed that establishing family mealtime routines is more important than ever for the health and wellbeing of both children and the family unit.

Unilever recently released a study called ‘The Power of Shared Mealtimes: Health, Convenience and Enjoyment’ which emphasises the importance of shared family mealtime routines and its positive effects on a person’s physical and mental health. The study, which included more than 6,000 adults from 12 countries worldwide, examined changes in social behaviour, individual expectations and time constraints; and how these changes have affected shared mealtimes. The study revealed that up to 70 per cent of the interviewed subjects felt that the loss of shared mealtimes also led to a loss of family traditions.

Australian mumpreneur and multi-task master Joanne Turner believes so strongly in the importance of establishing family mealtime routines and family traditions that she interviewed many experts including child psychologists, nutritionists and celebrity chefs on the topic in order to create a book dedicated to getting the family back to the dinner table together:  ‘Mealtimes Without Mayhem’. This book is packed full of practical advice and tips from leading experts to help all parents achieve happier and healthier mealtimes, thus achieving happier and healthier families.
www.mealtimeswithoutmayhem.com/

‘Mealtimes Without Mayhem’ pinpoints exactly what the benefits of establishing family mealtime routines are, including:
• The entire family will eat much healthier food;
• Family communication and school grades are likely to improve;
• If children are being bullied they are more likely to speak up when they feel they have a close bond with their parents;
• Children are less likely to become obese, overweight or begin smoking cigarettes;
• They are also less likely to consume alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs; and
• Stress and tension levels in general throughout the whole family are likely to be much lower. www.mealtimeswithoutmayhem.com/

Joanne urges parents to begin eating together as family at any stage in the children’s life. “It is never too late to begin making family meals a regular thing,” says Joanne. “Take an hour a day to sit down with your family, make a great meal together, and just talk. There’s no better way to create a closer family bond.”

The insightful guidebook for parents ‘Mealtimes Without Mayhem’ shares fond memories of Joanne’s own family mealtime routines as a child: “One of the things my mother was insistent about was that we all sat and ate together on most nights of the week, around the dining table. This was the time my parents heard our news, we honed the family banter, and generally had a lot of fun. I’ve inherited that family table, and can’t tell you how joyous it is to me to see my own kids now sitting at it, giggling (admittedly often fighting over their food!) while they tell me about their day.”

Discover new ways to establish family mealtime routines and foster family traditions – secure a FREE copy of ‘Mealtimes Without Mayhem’ today at www.mealtimeswithoutmayhem.com/.

Contact Information

Joanne Turner

Author, Mumpreneur and Multi-task Master

Mealtimes Without Mayhem

(61) 0412 000 057

jo.turner@tooshcoosh.com.au