Benefits of Family Meals

You don’t have to eat every meal together to see benefits. Family schedules and cooking can make eating meals together hard. You can start small. Try a breakfast together during the week or a weekend lunch.

Eating together can help:

• With eating different types of food.
• Improving language development and understanding.
• Improving family relationships.
• Decreasing screen time.
• Improving mental health and well-being.

Ideas for Family Meals

Family meals can look different for every family. Depending on your culture, values, and lifestyles.



To get the most out of eating together, try:

• Getting your kids help with cooking.
• Eating together in the same spot
• Serving the same foods to all family members.
• Sitting together until everyone is finished.
• Turning off screens.

Tips for moving your body:
Everyone can benefit from moving their body! You can be active together as a family.

Family Activity

Local Parks and Trails

Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

All fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that may help prevent some illnesses. Eating a variety of colors helps your body get a variety of nutrients.

Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables all have nutrients.

Eating fruits and vegetables every day helps your body get the nutrients it needs to feel your best.

Eating More Fruits and Vegetables

Tips for eating more fruits and vegetables:

• Keep frozen or canned fruits and vegetables available in your home.
• Serve a fruit and/or vegetable with each meal.
• Add fruit to yogurt or cereal.
• Buy pre-shredded or chopped produce.
• Add vegetables or fruits to a sandwich (lettuce, tomato, etc.)