This mom’s crew is a hungry, rowdy bunch (Elita is 8, Austin is 11 and Thomas is 14), but the 5 of us do our best to ring the dinner bell and sit around the dinner table most nights of the week…sometimes quite early and other times we have a hearty afternoon snack and a quick dinner later.
(Here’s the aforementioned bell: it was last year’s Mother’s Day gift that I LOVE)!
At our home, we try to focus on what TO eat, more than what NOT TO eat. Here are some quick tips:
- If my kids say they don’t care for something occasionally, I tell them, “Oh, no worries. There will always be things you don’t care for in life that you’ll need to power through.” That doesn’t mean they need to clean their plates, but they need to sit respectfully with us (and they are required to eat some of everything before they get seconds on their favorite things). I always make sure there are a few things at each meal that everyone likes.
- I don’t keep sodas or sweets (except ice cream :). We homemake a single-serve quantity of goodies from time to time, and if they want sodas or sweets occasionally, they can buy some with their own money as long as they respect their bodies with the quantities they chose.
- We prioritize produce: veggies and/or fruits are part of every meal (and my homemade guacamole is a current favorite).
- So easy: Mash up 2 large ripe avocados with a fork and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt. Stir in 1 can of mild Rotel (drain it first), add a squeeze of lime if available; and the kids are back with cilantro from the garden by the time I’ve got it mixed up. YUM!
With my Mom and my daughter: 3 generations!
I asked some other Dietitian-moms for their best tips. I’ve shared them below: these are great ideas from my fellow RDNs. In order to get family around the dinner table together, despite your guidelines, you have to be intentional – especially if you want nourish them well.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours!
Mealtime Tips from Michelle Loy, MPH, MS, RDN and Mother of three ages 5-11 years:
- We don’t turn on electronic devices, such as tablets, phones, or TVs, during meal time so that we can be more mindful during meals and enjoy each other’s company more, too.
- We always include at least 1 vegetable and/or fruit at each meal.
- We encourage our oldest child to keep strong negative opinions about foods to herself during meal time so that she doesn’t deter the younger two from wanting to try new foods.
Mealtime Tips from Sharon Palmer, RDN, The Plant-Powered Dietitian
- I don’t keep “junk foods” on hand, so they are special when my family enjoys them. Instead, I keep healthful snacks on hand, such as nuts, whole grain crackers, dried fruits, popcorn.
- I don’t stock sugar-sweetened beverages in my home. I make iced tea out of herbal tea and stock a pitcher in the refrig., I stock cans of V8 juice in the refrigerator. We also enjoy infused waters (no sugar) as a change of pace.
Mealtime Tips from Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN and Mother of three ages 11-16 years, Toby Amidor Nutrition:
- I have dinner served when my kids come home from school at 3 pm (to minimize empty snacking) and we all have an evening snack together around dinnertime with less time cleaning up and worrying about cooking.
