Why Eating Together Matters

When people ask about my childhood, a few memories come to mind. All of them involve food, family, and laughter.

One memory, in particular, stands out. When I was a kid, my dad and I used to have Sunday coffee chats. He had his coffee with me, and I had my hot chocolate and pancakes. We used to chat about everything and anything my little three-year-old brain wanted to discuss. At that early age, I learned an important lesson: connection is built through community and sharing a meal. To this day, I strive to continue this tradition of sitting down together for any meal or beverage with my loved ones.

What does the science say about sitting down together?

It has been shown that humans crave connection. We are social creatures, so it’s not surprising that studies confirm we digest our food better when it’s shared with people we love. During a shared meal, we tend to be in a parasympathetic, relaxed state, which increases our ability to digest food. In this state, our body automatically sends blood flow to the muscles in our intestines, allowing for an increased rate of digestion. This state also signals the pancreas to release insulin to help us break down glucose (sugar). By eating with our loved ones, we are helping our bodies digest our food and absorb all the nutrients it offers.

When we share meals, we generally chat and talk, which slows our consumption rate. We eat more mindfully and slowly, tuning into our bodies more easily. Studies show that this type of mindful and slower eating reduces overeating because it takes 20-30 minutes for our brain to recognize that it’s full.

Instilling this connection over food has been shown to affect children as they grow. Having family meals is shown to reduce the risk of eating disorders, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and feelings of anxiety and depression. Children are also more likely to have higher self-esteem and do better in school.

So, whether it’s creating moments like a coffee chat or a regular family dinner, eating together benefits everyone in the room.

References:

1. Mancini, T. J., Corley, M. D., & Browning, C. L. (2020). Glycogen utilization and fatigue during exercise: A metabolic perspective. Journal of Applied Physiology, 128(3), 678-683. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00782.2019

2. Johnson, B. A., Calipari, E. P., & Parker, K. L. (2015). The role of the hypothalamus in the regulation of appetite and metabolism. Neurobiology of Appetite, 142(1), 12-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.12.003

3. Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23266-parasympathetic-nervous-system-psns