Last night I had a dinner party.  There were 10 of us, and I had put a lot of work into curating a delicious, well-balanced menu. And as much as I love to cook, things can always get a little messy and stressful behind the scenes. But it was all worth it once dinner was served, and we were all sitting around the table; eating, drinking, talking and laughing.

Someone said to me once that group workout classes are more fun because there’s a certain energy that comes with multiple people doing the same thing at the same time. I suppose the same applies to dining; it’s just as good for our psyches as it is for our bodies!

So why is it important to eat together? As someone who lives alone, I certainly see the value in it, but there’s so much more to it than just a good time. Though I’d love to hear from you guys, here are a few things I’ve discovered about the importance of ‘eating together’:

• Encourages strong family/relationship dynamics: for most of us, it’s the best time to catch up and be present, all while enjoying a delicious meal.
• Makes us happier: studies have shown that this is true in both adults and children, as it gives us a sense of security and stability.
• Results in healthier eating habits: yes, this part I can vouch for. Did you know that the stomach is actually full a good 20 minutes before our brain is able to register that fact? This is why so many of us tend to overeat; we just scoff down our food too quickly before our brains have a chance to tell us we’re done.  Social dining however can help with this, as engaging in fun conversations gives us a break in between bites and as a result, we are less likely to overeat.
• It’s just more fun! Need I say more??

Would love to hear your thoughts on ‘eating together’. How it’s helped you, and any other fun facts you’ve discovered!

For more tips on planning and organizing, check out our post on How to play your next gathering’s menu.