Prioritizing health helps families eat better together

March 7, 2013

Nationwide efforts to help children get and stay healthy are supported by a strong number of families who have kept the traditions of family meals alive despite the cultural and scheduling changes many women seeking college scholarships for single mothers have experienced.

Pushing for individualized health
"Eat right, your way, every day": That's the slogan for this year's National Nutrition Month, which is working to help busy parents, like those currently applying for financial aid for single moms, to help their kids make better food choices by building up an arsenal of healthy snacks and meals they love. Ethan Bergman, president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, announced that his organization's effort aims to teach parents and children that eating right depends solely on the nutritional aspects of food and that cultural or taste-preferred dishes can be maintained if they add positively to a balanced lifestyle.

"There can be a misperception that eating healthfully means giving up your favorite foods," he said in a statement. "Our 'Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day' National Nutrition Month theme encourages consumers to include the foods they love as part of a healthful eating plan that is tailored for their lifestyles, traditions, health needs and, of course, tastes."

The Academy celebrates the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month this year.

Families can make food choices together
American families already show that eating together is a high priority, according to a study by Welch's. One member of the company's nutrition advisory panel, Sarah-Jane Bedwell, who works as a registered dietician, claimed the study showed positive results for the futures of American eaters.

"Parents are making mealtimes a priority in order to share a moment with their children," she said. "That's good news because research has shown an association between regular family meals and improved family nutrition."

The survey showed over two-thirds of parents interviewed have dinner with their kids as much if not more than their own parents did when they were growing up. One problem a good portion of respondents have in common is making time to prepare full, healthy meals for themselves and their children. Anyone seeking grants for single mothers has undoubtedly experienced similar frustration, but Welch's suggested that alterations to typical family meal recipes can make quick dishes better for everyone in the family, and following plans can also be helpful for women who have little time to spread between work, school and home life.

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