How Sharing Meals With Others Improves Health and Happiness
Food is not just fuel
Food’s number one purpose is to deliver nutrients to our bodies so they function properly.
But, food is also part of our lifestyle. It is the basis of many social gatherings and celebrations!
In fact, one thing the healthiest and longest living communities in the world have in common is that they enjoy food together with family and friends.
It has been found that the more often people share meal times with others, the more likely they are to feel happy and content with their lives.
Check out these benefits of cooking and eating together:
Eating less
Conversation distracts you, preventing you from inhaling your meal within 5 seconds. When you slow down the pace you eat at, you’re less likely to overeat. Your body takes around 20mins to start feeling full. If you are lost in conversation and chewing slowly, your body will actually have time to start feeling full!
Eating healthier and improving cooking skills
Cooking together rather than ordering takeout is another great way to spend time with friends and family. This also means you have control into what is going into your meals so you can add in more of the good stuff like veggies! It is also a good way for the kids to learn cooking skills.
Intellectually stimulating
Having conversation stimulates your brain and improves social skills, which is particularly important for your children! Repeating something you have learned also helps to make it stick in your brain. Get your kids to tell you what they learned at school today – you never know, they may teach you something new too!
Less screen time
Too much screen time is not only bad for your eyes, but it also can impact social skills and relationships with your friends and family. Make it a rule that TV, phones, iPads and computers all must be switched off or put away at meal times. Less screen time can also help improve stress levels and sleep.
Builds closer relationships
Having conversation with friends and family over dinner rather than all eyes glued on the TV will naturally build closer relationships. Quality time with family will make you feel closer and more connected to each other. This helps improves overall happiness and wellbeing.
Instead of ordering takeout pizza, make this quick and easy pizza at home with friends or family. Turn off all screens and enjoy it together!
Veggie Pizza
Serves: 1/2 pizza = 1 serve Time: 25mins Cost: $10 approx. ($2.50/serve)
Ingredients
- 2 wholemeal pita breads (or pizza bases)
- 200g pizza sauce
- 1 zucchini, grated
- 1 capsicum, finely diced
- 1 cup (150g) mushrooms, finely diced
- 1 ½ cups low fat cheese, grated
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- fresh basil to serve (optional)
Method
- preheat oven to 180o
- grate zucchini, finely dice capsicum and mushrooms.
- spread pizza sauce evenly over each pita bread.
- sprinkle veggies evenly over each pizza.
- sprinkle cheese on top.
- Bake for 15mins.
Resources:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40750-017-0061-4
