The Benefits of Fostering Healthy Family Eating Habits During Coronavirus—Plus How to Do So

According to an online poll conducted by WebMD, 47% of American women and 22% of American men report having gained weight since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. The weight gain experienced by those who are social distancing has even been playfully nicknamed “the quarantine 15.” 

This rise in weight can be traced to a variety of factors, but the most reported causes were physical inactivity (72%) and stress eating (70%). 59% of those individuals polled by WebMD attributed their weight gain to a combination of both physical inactivity and stress eating.

While you may be worried about weight gain, Registered Dietician Samantha Cassetty warns that now is no time to be dieting. Aside from the fact that you may not find every healthy item you want in the supermarket, dieting can also worsen your anxiety. Rather than purging your fridge, Cassetty recommends giving up snacking, reducing your screen time, and doing light exercise. 

Cassetty also suggests that people start experimenting in the kitchen. And one way to ensure your family is eating healthfully—without depriving your taste buds—is to cook meals together. Now that you and yours are likely at home for longer periods of time than ever before, what better opportunity could there be to experiment in the kitchen? 

Of course, between supply-line shortages and the desire to spend as little time as possible in public spaces, some parents may find that their kitchen cabinets look rather empty or uninteresting. 

The good news is that you can still cook with whatever you have in stock, a practice that cook and author Amanda Frederickson calls “fridge foraging.” Check out this Instagram page and Frederickson’s website to find ideas for easy recipes that use pantry staples. If you’re truly a novice chef, consider starting with simple dishes like light salads or soups. 

Another benefit of cooking with your family is that it brings everyone together and can foster an atmosphere of teamwork. Amidst the busy 20th century lifestyle, cooking forces us to temporarily pause our activities as we attend to two of life’s most important elements: food and family. 

No matter the ages of your children, everyone can contribute to making the meal. Young children can assist with safe, simple tasks like fetching ingredients and washing vegetables (in fact, cooking is also a fantastic opportunity to teach youngsters about measuring and following directions). On the other hand, tasks that involve sharp objects are best delegated to mature teenagers. The important thing is to ensure everyone has a role so they feel involved and needed.   

Motivating your children to stay productive can feel like a real challenge at times, let alone during strict coronavirus limitations. To get your children interested in cooking, it may help to let them choose the meal on predetermined days or, in the case of youngsters, use positive reinforcement techniques.

If the source of your children’s disinterest is emotional strife, you can likewise address that in your cooking. You may be surprised to learn that certain foods are believed to help combat depression and anxiety. Berries, leafy greens, and nuts, among others, contain nutrients that can help regulate mood. Incorporating these foods into your recipes can help to assuage some of the negative psychological effects brought on by the pandemic. 

Now that you know the many benefits of fixing family meals, it’s time to get cooking! 

Tiffany Sorensen holds a Master of Science in Spanish-English Translation from New York University. She works remotely from sunny Mexico, where she gives English and Spanish classes, writes educational articles, and designs practice tests for the ACT.