Eating Family Meals Together Makes a Difference in a Child’s Nutrition
December 12, 2007—Denver—Nutritionists with the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Child
and Adult Care Food Program said sitting down to eat a meal
together can have a positive affect on a child’s nutritional
intake.
Research, including studies at the University of
Minnesota, Tufts University and Columbia, has shown that
eating family meals together results in a healthier diet and
increased family bonding.
Jan Bodnar, a registered dietitian with the Child and
Adult Care Food Program, said, “These studies show that more
meals eaten together family style result in a higher intake
of fruits and vegetables and a lower intake of fried food
and soft drinks. The benefits of family-style meals extend
beyond the home. Through the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program, child care
centers and adult day care centers can employ family-style
meals and be eligible to participate in the program.”
Bodnar said eating meals together strengthens family bonds;
creates feelings of security; and causes family members to
experience less tension, more conversation and higher
self-esteem. “Mealtime can be a chance to learn about
daily happenings, make plans and enjoy discussions. New
foods can be introduced and children can see other family
members enjoying them. Social skills can be practiced at
family meals,” she said. Many busy parents often may feel
that a family dinner requires too much time and planning,
Bodnar said. “The important factor is togetherness, not
timing or home cooking.” Some families might find that
sitting together at breakfast instead of dinner works
better. Bodnar said having a dinner together does not
require extensive cooking. Even a take-out meal balanced
with fruits and vegetables can save time and provide an
opportunity for a family to sit and eat together. She
suggested having a few simple ingredients on hand to help
with last-minute meals, such as rice, pasta, frozen seafood
or cooked poultry or meat, and cut-up fresh or frozen fruits
and vegetables.
“Try to schedule meals around activities, such as school
or sports, and eat later so everyone can participate,” she
said. Bodnar said that many child care centers in Colorado
that are participating in the Colorado Child and Adult Care
Food Program serve meals “family style.”
“Family-style meal service in child care centers involves
the children and teachers sitting together at the table for
meals and snacks. The children serve the food onto their own
plates as serving dishes are passed around the table.
Children learn how to pass and share with other children and
adults and are more likely to try new foods that they have
placed on their own plates,” she said. “Teachers and
directors know that more time can be spent visiting and
sharing with the children when meals are served in this
manner.”
She explained the Child and Adult Care Food Program
provides reimbursement and educational opportunities for
participating centers. Participating centers include child
care centers and child care homes, adult day care centers,
homeless and domestic violence shelters and after-school
snack programs for at-risk students. The program
reimburses these providers across Colorado for serving
healthy meals. Meals and snacks are available at no separate
charge to the participant, except in the case of programs
that are pricing programs. Pricing programs charge
separately for meals and have available free and reduced-
price meals to children meeting approved eligibility
criteria. For information about eligibility for centers and
shelters, call 303-692-2330. The amount of reimbursement
received by participating institutions for these meals
depends on the income of the children’s families.
Eligibility for higher rates of meal reimbursement, at free
and reduced rates, is based on the following income levels,
effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
Household Income Eligibility Guidelines
|
Household |
FREE
|
REDUCED |
|
Size |
Yearly |
Monthly |
Biweekly |
Weekly |
Yearly |
Monthly |
Biweekly |
Weekly |
|
1 |
$13,273 |
$1,107 |
$511 |
$256 |
$18,889 |
$1,575 |
$727 |
$364 |
|
2 |
$17,797 |
$1,484 |
$685 |
$343 |
$25,327 |
$2,111 |
$975 |
$488 |
|
3 |
$22,321 |
$1,861 |
$859 |
$430 |
$31,765 |
$2,648 |
$1,222 |
$611 |
|
4 |
$26,845 |
$2,238 |
$1,033 |
$517 |
$38,203 |
$3,184 |
$1,470 |
$735 |
|
5 |
$31,369 |
$2,615 |
$1,207 |
$604 |
$44,641 |
$3,721 |
$1,717 |
$859 |
|
6 |
$35,893 |
$2,992 |
$1,381 |
$691 |
$51,079 |
$4,257 |
$1,965 |
$983 |
|
7 |
$40,417 |
$3,369 |
$1,555 |
$778 |
$57,517 |
$4,794 |
$2,213 |
$1,107 |
|
8 |
$44,941 |
$3,746 |
$1,729 |
$865 |
$63,955 |
$5,330 |
$2,460 |
$1,230 |
|
For each additional
family member add: |
|
|
$4,524 |
$377 |
$174 |
$87 |
$6,438 |
$537 |
$248 |
$124 |
Children
whose households are participants of the Food Stamp or the
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or are
Head Start participants, are automatically eligible to
receive free meal benefits while attending a participating
child care program. Meals are available to all participants
without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin or
disability.
For more information, the public may contact the Child
and Adult Care Food Program at 303-692-2330.
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