Kari Thielke works with patients and their families encouraging them to invest the time in regular evening meals together. As the Lead Dietitian at Rogers Memorial Hospital, Thielke understands it’s not easy to organize family members to be in the same place at the same time, but she says even having as few as four meals together a week together can be beneficial.

Family involvement is an important part of treatment in the eating disorder programs at Rogers Memorial Hospital and it offers an important opportunity for families to learn these benefits together and leave with a common vision. Thielke encourages the families she works with to venture out and follow the acronym “RECIPE” to begin that road to a more positive dining experience:

• R is for “Repair”- Take time to first repair your own thoughts and habits about food, nutrition, health, and weight. Remember the “practice what you preach” approach; did you eat breakfast today?
• E is for “Example”- Children learn by example, so eat your vegetables. It can take more than 10 times for a child to see a food before they accept it. Give you and your family permission to enjoy food. Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.”
• C is for “Communication”- Communicate often about food and about life. The dinner table is a great place and time to turn off the TV and talk to each other.
• I is for “Internal”- Focus on the internal body, not the outside (weight, shape, etc). Focus on the internal values (compassion, kindness, and strengths). Ask how family members are doing. Don’t talk about disordered eating, behaviors, food, nutrition, or weight and exercise at the dinner table with those struggling with an eating disorder.
• P is for “Physical Activity”- Make physical activity fun and make it a family affair. It’s all about clearing the mind as well as needed for overall health. Try badminton, basketball, walking the dog. Or Thielke’s favorite: Grow a garden together as a family.
• E is for “Encouraging Healthy Habits”- Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Have children grocery shop with you. Include all family members when planning meals and cooking. Increase water consumption, decrease soda and juice consumption to ensure a more nutrient dense meal plan. Don’t use foods as rewards.

According to Thielke, following this “RECIPE” in any family can assist in an overhaul for everyone nutritionally and emotionally. Family members find that eating meals together can provide a time to actually listen to one another, a time to bond and create a healthier nutrient intake throughout the week.
By including the whole family in menu planning it gives them a sense of belonging and ownership and younger members may be more willing to try new foods, even making suggestions for fresh vegetables or requesting new favorites.

“When I was a girl, I had to ask to be excused before I could leave the evening dining table. At the time I didn’t realize that having meals with my family provided an atmosphere that would increase my self-esteem and teach me appropriate behaviors and manners,” Thielke said.

“Children learn from example. This can lead to guilty and shameful feelings for parents who are struggling with an eating disorder. It can also be an encouragement to reach the goals of recovery. Whether someone is struggling with an eating disorder or not, providing the example of good and positive behaviors surrounding food will contribute to an overall healthy atmosphere.”

“There have even been studies that show family meals can lower the incidence of depression. There are many advantages to organizing meals throughout the week, so make it a priority to start getting together at least four times a week,” she said. “As one of my current patients phrased it: ‘Dining room tables are not just for centerpieces’.”