If you ask a child, “What was your favorite part of school today?”, a common response could be “lunch and recess.” Children usually enjoy the social experience of eating lunch with friends. In the same way, shared family meals at home can have a positive impact on the development of children and adolescents (1). But for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), sharing meals with children or loved ones can feel like a distant dream. The pressures of managing your health can feel overwhelming (physically and emotionally), and cooking a full meal might even seem impossible. However, keeping a higher purpose in mind, such as strengthening the bond between family and loved ones, can help make this burden feel lighter.
Research shows that shared family meals have many physical and psychosocial benefits that may outweigh some barriers (1):
Barriers
Socioeconomic or financial challenges
Not having enough time
Schedule conflicts
Potential Benefits
Family connectedness
Healthy eating behaviors
Improved diet
Improved self-esteem
Academic achievement
Reduced disordered eating
Reduced substance use
Reduced depression
Reduced suicidal thoughts
Here are a few simple tips to get started on your Family Meal Challenge:
- Start small: Aim for three shared meals this week. Every step counts!
- Divide and conquer: Delegate tasks to create a fun, collaborative experience. Even the littlest hands can help set the table!
- Find something to celebrate: Make it a special occasion! A birthday, a job promotion, or even a sunny day are great reasons to gather around the table.
- Spark conversation: Pick fun topics or play games to make mealtime engaging and memorable.
Need a little menu inspiration? Here are several recipes to get you started.
Meal Idea 1:
Meal Idea 2:
Chickpea Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
Meal Idea 3:
You can find more recipes on DaVita.com.
