Family
Positive Effects on Family Meal Time
By
Aug 29, 2005, 13:14

((ARA) - It’s no secret that meal time can be a positive experience for families, but a recent Ore-Ida national survey discovered nearly half of moms feel stressed when planning the meal. The solution might be as easy as serving family favorites. In fact, eight out of 10 moms revealed that favorite foods are the secret to creating a positive effect on their families during meal time, followed by conversations, watching TV and activities or games.
Getting creative and serving foods both kids and parents enjoy can make meal time more fun. According to the survey, French fries were the number one choice among moms – more so than mashed potatoes, garlic bread, salad and veggies. It’s no wonder that one in three moms surveyed serve French fries at least once a week, and more than 90 percent serve them once a month or more.

Here are some additional ideas that can have a positive effect on meal time:

* Bite-Size Fun – Make dinner kid-friendly with little finger foods. Use a cookie cutter to make fun, small shapes with grilled cheese sandwiches or pizza. Cut up hamburgers into bite-size squares, or serve baby carrots, mini-hot dogs or chicken nuggets.

* Kids Choice – Give choices to reward good behavior. While at the grocery store, let kids pick out one item for dinner or choose the meal’s theme. Give them options to pick the music to play during dinner or help in making part of the meal.

* Hit the Road – Keep healthy, shelf-stable snacks in the car to refuel kids between meals. Make baggies of carrots, apples, raisins and nuts, or keep cereal bars handy for instant snack-attacks.

* Family Favorites – Please the gang with family favorites like Ore-Ida French fries, sloppy joes, spaghetti with meatballs, mini-pizzas topped with fresh veggies and a make your own fruit parfait.

* Dinner Time Design – Let the kids decorate the dining room for dinner using their creativity. Give them paper placemats, cups and plates to color. Use construction paper to make crowns for the family or funny centerpieces.

* Do the Dip! – There’s no question that kids like to dip their foods. French fries and ketchup are perfect for dipping, as are fruit and yogurt, pita triangles and hummus, or veggies and ranch dressing,

From July 15 to September 15, 2005, Ore-Ida is asking moms across America to enter the Ore-Ida Effect Contest. As their family’s CEOs – or Chief “Effect” Officers – Ore-Ida wants to hear how moms have a positive influence at meal time. Participants can visit OreIda.com to learn more, enter their tips and have the chance to win a family vacation valued at $7,500 or runners up prizes to pamper themselves!
Courtesy of ARA Content

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