Why It Is Worthwhile to Eat With People

1. It's a story of meals together

2. Why it's worth eating in company

3. Eating alone

4. No attention during meals

5. Is it always wrong to eat alone?

1. It's a story of meals together

Food not only satisfies a physiological need, but also determines belonging to a group and helps to build social relationships. The idea of a common feast was well known in ancient Greece, especially in Sparta and Crete, syssitia were organized, i.e. the common eating of the main meal in public places.

2. Why it's worth eating in company

Children who have family dinners eat healthier foods with high nutritional value and are less likely to suffer from overweight and obesity. They also make good food choices in the future (M. Horning et al. 2016). It is important not only to eat meals with children, but also to involve them in preparing meals. This makes them more willing to eat new foods and not be afraid of new flavors, and their diets are more varied.

3. Eating alone

Many people can't afford to eat with loved ones. People who eat alone have fewer eating habits. They eat fewer fruits and vegetables as well as processed products. It's easier and much less time-consuming than preparing a meal for friends on your own. This is due to a change in lifestyle: lonely living, lack of family, long hours at work. Lonely people are less likely to eat less food. They also eat fewer vegetables and fruits, and high-processed products on the Internet.

4. No attention during meals

Nowadays, more and more people, even when eating with others, are locking themselves in their world and not paying attention to a meal or to their companions. No one is surprised to see a group of people sitting at a restaurant table looking at their smartphone screens. Lunch at work is often eaten in front of a computer monitor. People eating in the presence of the TV eat up to 15% more portions in a glass than they eat when they're not watching TV. This promotes obesity and overweight (C. Spence, 2018).

5. Is it always wrong to eat alone?

Of course, not everyone feels bad when they eat a meal alone. Some people appreciate that they can concentrate on what they eat, and even more enjoy a meal. This approach to eating is referred to as mindfulness eating, which is mindful eating. Mindfulness philosophy encourages stopping, reflecting and focusing on the present. Eating should be slow, focusing only on that activity, engaging all the senses, not only checking the taste of the food, but also noticing its appearance, color, temperature, texture and smell.