Importance of Family & Food: Why Eating Together is Key to Healthy Living

Written by Claudia Calderon, MPH 
Dietetic Intern with Department of State Hospitals-Napa ​

​Frequently sharing meals is one sign of strong Hispanic family ties. According to the U.S Census data, 90% of Hispanic parents said they regularly share meals with their children in 2021 (1). This pattern is also seen in immigrant families, with 89% of parents born outside the U.S also eating frequent meals with their children (1). This is not that surprising considering that family is very important in Hispanic communities, a value called familismo (or familism in English) (1). Familismo means sharing a feeling of responsibility for taking care of your family and helping them when needed.  
In many families, showing love and appreciation can often be seen through food, a concept called ‘food is family’. Hispanic families like other cultural families have a connection with shaping food habits. Food isn’t just for eating; it’s a symbol of cultural identity, showing traditions, values, and sense of belonging in the community.  
Family meals may be the key to encouraging healthy behaviors by bringing the family together. However, there are some barriers to having meals together. Modern life and technology are changing family mealtimes (2). Some Hispanic mothers have said that family meals are different now from when they were kids (2). Technology like television, phones, and tablets are one reason for this change. However, longer working hours have also made regular family meals more challenging to coordinate (2).  
Mealtimes are a great way to talk and connect with family members. Turning off the television and putting away devices can help cut down distractions and bring some of the benefits seen with sharing family meals. Benefits may include better mental health and stronger family bonds (3,4). Family mealtimes may also help children learn communication skills and develop healthy eating behaviors (3). 
Research shows that families that eat together in mealtimes often eat more fruits and vegetables (5). Frequent family mealtimes are also linked to lower rates of overweight and obesity in children among recent immigrants in the U.S. (5). Preparing meals for family mealtimes is a great way to make sure you have a balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 
Having a regular routine for family meals may encourage balanced nutrition and positive relationships with food. Across all cultures, food serves as a means of expressing love and appreciation for one’s family, as seen in the concept of ‘food is family’. Family meals help us stay connected with our culture and heritage.  
 
Resources: 

1. Family Dinner Routine More Common in Hispanic and Immigrant Families 
2. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting - The Evolving Family Mealtime: Findings From Focus Group Interviews With Hispanic Mothers 
3. Frontiers | A Systematic Review of the Relationship between Familism and Mental Health Outcomes in Latino Population 
4. Protective role of family mealtime frequency against disordered eating behaviors: Racial and ethnic differences - ScienceDirect 
5. Feeding styles and evening family meals among recent immigrants - PMC 

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