If you’re sitting down for Mother’s Day brunch today, let us add one more thing for you to be grateful for: families who eat together tend to be the healthier. New research shows that more than 40 percent of the typical American food budget is spent on eating out, not to mention the fact that many restaurants don’t offer enough healthy options. After evaluating 68 previously published scientific reports, a team of researchers from Rutgers University found that fewer family meals at home translated to an increased risk of obesity among children. On the flip side, dining together more often meant kids were eating more fruits, vegetables, fiber and calcium- and vitamin-rich foods. It also meant they consumed fewer unhealthy items, such as soda, and had a lower body mass index (BMI). So when you’re sitting with your family today, enjoy the company – and the veggies.
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