Mealtime Strategies for Healthy Families

Many families struggle to eat together regularly; whether it’s due to busy work and activities schedules, managing picky eaters, or just a plain lack of time. A 2018 meta-analysis found a significant relationship between frequent family meals and better nutritional health—regardless off a child’s age, country, socio-economical group, and number of family members present at each meal. Studies also show that family meals can lead to less fussiness, less emotional eating and more food enjoyment among growing kids. It is best to aim for 3 to 5 sit-down family meals a week. The benefits include better development of manners, good behavior, healthier development, more confidence, and better nutrient intake in children and adolescents.

There are different strategies to family meals. One is the family-style meals, where the food is placed in the center of the table, allowing it to be self-served. Many families find that family style meals result in less drama and more relaxed mealtime. You may be skeptical of this strategy as some children may get carried away with their food choices at first. This generally passes with time as children learn to tune into their own hunger and satiety cues. Pressuring children to eat may cause them to lose their ability to self-regulate. This can lead to children either eating more or less and possibly lead to the elimination of specific foods and possibly entire food groups. Serving balanced meals that include a variety foods, tastes, and textures is how you can foster good nutritional growth and development in your children.

Ashley Selvey, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at LWell says, “We encourage our clients to remember that no one food, no one diet and not one single viewpoint holds enough power to radically change your child’s health or your health.” Sensible eating—where you make an effort to eat healthier by making small changes and having a balanced diet—holds the most value.

The experienced team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists at LWell can provide a meal plan, grocery shopping guidance and meal prepping tips. Whether you cook at home or use a meal delivery service, successful meal planning will help you and your family to have more meaningful meals together.

Is this test right for me?

To determine if a GI map is right for you, consider your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. If you're experiencing persistent gastrointestinal issues, unexplained symptoms, or have a family history of digestive disorders, discussing GI mapping with an LWell provider may provide valuable insights. Consulting with LWell can help assess whether the test aligns with your healthcare needs and goals, guiding you in making an informed decision about whether to pursue GI mapping as part of your diagnostic and treatment journey.

How accurate is this test?

GI mapping tests utilize advanced molecular techniques to analyze the composition and function of the gut microbiome, providing detailed insights into microbial diversity, imbalances, and potential markers of gut health and disease.

Sample required

The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP™) is an innovative
clinical tool that measures gastrointestinal microbiota DNA from a single
stool sample with state of the art, quantitative polymerase chain reaction
(qPCR or real-time PCR) technology.