Governor Declares September Healthy Family Meals Month

“Family meals may seem hard to arrange, but many studies show it is worth the effort,” says Tamara Sheffield, MD, Intermountain Healthcare LiVe Well spokesperson. 

To help, Utah Department of Health, Utah’s local health departments, Intermountain LiVe Well, and other community partners are promoting a new website utahfamilymeals.org, which features healthy recipes, shopping tips, and ways to win prizes. Or you can follow the program on Twitter at #utahfamilymeals.

“The Governor has the right idea,” says Tania Charette, Health Program Specialist, Utah Department of Health. “Children who are engaged with their parents through supportive activities like frequent family meals are less likely to use harmful substances, more likely to be successful in school, and have higher self-esteem and lower obesity rates.” 

Studies show spending mealtime together as a family also helps children’s mental and behavioral health, communication skills, and leads them down a path to a lifetime of healthier eating habits. 

Busy families have to make an effort to eat together, according to Dr. Sheffield. “Make an appointment for the family dinner, sit down, slow down, and try to keep meals simple. It can be done.”