Why Meal Planning Helps Keep Our Kids Off Drugs

I had the privilege of attending a Shabbat dinner (the Friday Sabbath meal observed by those of Jewish faith) recently and heard our host say how important these family meals were. Not only culturally, not only because their faith calls for them, but because these meals help keep their kids off drugs.

Was he being a little melodramatic?

Research says no. He is absolutely correct. Important stuff happens at our kitchen tables over regular family meals.

Sometimes we need concrete answers to “why.” Why do we need to make family meals a priority?

A 2012 study by the National Center for Substance Abuse at Columbia University entitled The Importance of Family Meals VIII helps us with our why.

Teens who have regular (5 – 7) family meals are one and a half times more likely to feel they have excellent relationships with their parents and are less likely to engage in the use of addictive substances.
Teens who do not have regular family meals indicate less than good relationships with their parents and are
- 4 times likelier to have used marijuana
- Twice as likely to have used alcohol
- Two and a half times as likely to have used tobacco
Teens who have regular family meals are one and half times more likely to attend weekly religious services. This link between family meals and faith instruction is important. Teens who do not get this are twice as likely to have used marijuana and alcohol.
Teens were asked to rate the level of stress in their lives on a scale of one to 10. High stress is considered as a rating of 6 or higher.
- Those teens who have regular family meals are one and a half times less likely to report high levels of stress.
- Those teens reporting high (six or higher) levels of stress are
  - Three times as likely to have used marijuana
  - Twice as likely to have used alcohol or tobacco

Family meals are important. These excellent relationships that help our children make better decisions are formed around our kitchen table. These are our opportunities to connect with our kids and find out what is going on in their lives. This is where we teach our values and morals; provide counsel; and communicate our love, support, and encouragement.

There are caveats to this. Family meals that are eaten around the television (or subject to other distractions like phones and computers) or eaten out in public restaurants do not produce the same benefits. Clearly, the comfort and safety of your home environment made free from distractions is the crucial element.

Despite any eye-rolling that might happen when we “force” our kids to join us at the table for dinner, studies support that the overwhelming majority of teens value that time. Our children need this from us if they are going to grow into being the adults God desires them to be.

We know why we need to have family meals. The next question is how. How do we successfully make this happen in our crazy schedules? Family meals do not happen by accident. They require intentional planning. So yes. Meal planning leads to family meals leads to better relationships leads to … reduced drug use. A stretch? Maybe. Maybe not.

Stay tuned. Next week we’ll be covering the steps to successful menu planning. Steps that will prepare you to be successful, save you time, and save you money. It’s a win all the way around.

In the meantime, enjoy this yummy Crockpot Cuban Black Bean Soup. It takes no more than 15 minutes to prepare. If you don’t have a spare 15 minutes in the morning, do it the night before and set it on low (instead of high). It’ll be fine.