British Dietetic Association: Family meals improve nutrition
Families should aim to eat together in order to encourage children to have a balanced diet.That is according to Dr Sarah Schenker, dietician from the British Dietetic Association, who has suggested that a disjointed approach to eating is not helping families.
She said: "If people are sitting down to meals to eat together they are much more likely to eat a nutritious, balanced meal."
Dr Schenker warned that children are less likely to eat well when they have their meals on their own and consume snacks.
Involving children in food preparation, as long as they are supervised, can help to reduce fussiness, she suggested.
This makes them feel as if they are involved in their meals, rather than just having to eat what is put in front of them, she said.
Her comments follow research published in the journal Paediatrics, which revealed that there is a connection between children who have higher Body Mass Index scores aged four and five years and poorer peer relationships.
