The benefits of eating at the table

Sometimes, the simplest of things have the largest impact on our lives. We worry so much about living good lives and being successful, happy, and productive people that we go to great and complex lengths to try to achieve these goals.

But sometimes it’s the simple, daily habits that can have the largest impact, and today we are going to talk about eating, specifically the valuable opportunities and outcomes associated with eating at the table.

Eating. We all do it regularly, and yes, that is because we have to. But we all know food is more than nourishment for performance and survival. Cooking conveys love and caring; specific foods are key in many celebrations; there are foods to eat when you are under the weather or to comfort you when you are stressed. You get the idea: Food is so much more than its nutritional components.

When food is shared with people sitting at the same table, eating becomes a powerful social, relationship, and health strategy. Let’s examine how.

Social Bonding

Eating with your family members, your roommate, new friends, old friends, co-workers, or others is a social occasion that spurs connection and community and is paired with a strong positive behavioral reinforcer. (Food!) Social connectedness is key to our emotional health and our sense of belonging. A routine meal at a table with others is literally a powerful mental health strategy. Obviously, this benefit is most effective when there are no phones/tablets at the table.

Teaching Manners and Values

When families eat together at the table, children are taught basic manners and cooperation. Mealtime comes with etiquette to be learned and gives a chance to practice waiting, taking turns, being polite, and sharing.

Focus on Gratitude. Whether you say grace or just focus on being thankful for the meal and the people with you, gratitude is linked to a number of improved physical and mental health functions and helps us to focus on the truly important things in life. Articulating what and who you are grateful for is a powerful strategy, and it is easy to establish a routine for this before each (or a daily) meal.

Trying New Things. The table is a great test bed to be somewhat adventurous, to broaden your horizons and move outside your comfort zone. Try food from a different culture or a food you’ve just never tried before. Introduce your family or friends to something interesting and new. This exposure at home makes people more comfortable to try to new foods when traveling or when eating at other people’s houses.

Improving Relationships and Communication. Eating a meal with your family or a close-knit group of people every day provides a structured and protected time to discuss noteworthy issues, problem-solve, converse, commiserate, practice social and listening skills, and relax. This support and ritual have been linked to better mental health, academic performance in children, and social skills.

Impetus for Healthier Eating. Eating at a table with others effortlessly stimulates healthier eating. Individuals who eat more fruits and vegetables, eat more slowly, digest their food more effectively, and make better choices about portion sizes.

In this fast-paced life, where many of us eat at our desks in a rush or eat in front of the television on the couch, eat a meal with others but with some or all of the people on their smartphones—you get the idea—the simple act of sitting down to eat with the people around you, for whatever time you have, allows for a break, social bonding, better health, and a sense of community. Of all the changes we stress about trying to make in our lives, this is one of the most impactful and least complex ones to start with.

Give it a try today.