Every September, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension celebrates a Family Mealtime by connecting for better health.  In our busy lives, it can be hard to sit down with your family to share a meal and reconnect with each other.  Family mealtimes are great for kids and adults!

Did you know children who eat with their families are better nourished, have lower rates of obesity, and better vocabularies?  These factors can have a positive impact on classroom behavior and academic performance.

Family meals don’t have to be reserved for holidays or special occasions, they can happen on any day of the week and at any time!  A family can share time together during breakfast as they start their day or at dinnertime.  Single-parent families and couples without children can also carve out mealtime to share stories from the day.

Eating together provides an opportunity for families to talk about and model good nutrition and healthy behaviors.  Kids can learn great life skills by helping to prepare meals and learning table manners.  Kids are more likely to try a new vegetable if they get to help cook it!

Throughout the month of September, take the Family Mealtime Challenge and make it your mission to have meals as a family three times a week or more.  You can follow us on Facebook to get ideas for conversation starters, healthy recipes, and fun family exercise ideas.  Follow us on Facebook @BosqueCountyExtensionService.

For more information about Family Mealtime or healthy eating, contact Kate Whitney, County Extension Agent, at 254-435-2331.