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Why It Is Advantageous to Partake Meals in the Company of Others
Table of Contents
1. The history of shared meals: From prehistoric times to the court of King Stanisław Poniatowski
Not just satisfying physiological needs, but also indicating group belonging and building social relationships has always been the purpose of food. The idea of a common feast was known in prehistoric times, especially in Sparta and Crete, where syssitia were organized - the common consumption of the main meal in public places. The word syssitia derives from the Greek word sissítion, which means common sitting. All full-fledged citizens were invited to the feasts. Similar practices are also known from later times, such as the court of King Stanisław Poniatowski in the 18th century, where Thursday lunches were organized for artists and intellectuals to discuss art, science, and politics.2. Why it is beneficial to consume meals in the company
Children who consume meals with their family consume healthier foods with high nutritional value and are less likely to suffer from problems related to being overweight and obese. In addition, they are more likely to make healthy food choices in the future (M. Horning et al. 2016). It is important to eat meals with children and involve them in meal preparation. Family meals also promote discussions, which contributes to expanding the child's vocabulary. Conversations at the family table also build a sense of security. Shared meals help maintain good relationships between family members. Research in Canada has shown that teenagers who ate lunch with their parents had better mental health (F. J. Elgar, W. Craig, S. J. Trites 2013). Eating with loved ones reduces stress levels, reduces the tendency to engage in risky behaviors, reduces the risk of eating disorders, increases life satisfaction. During meals with loved ones, endorphins are produced in the brain, which has a positive effect on mood. A good mood, in turn, affects how we perceive the food. When we are happy and relaxed, we perceive the food as tastier than when we eat under stress and tension. Endorphins also play an important role in creating human bonds. Interestingly, who we eat with affects how much we can eat. Among acquaintances or family, we eat larger amounts of food than among strangers (C. Spence 2018, p. 166).3. Isolation during meal consumption
Nowadays, many people cannot afford to share meals with their loved ones. The number of family gatherings around the table is decreasing, as ordering a ready-made meal and consuming it quickly is easier and more time-saving than preparing it yourself for friends. These changes are the result of a modern lifestyle: solitary living, lack of family, long working hours. People who eat alone have poorer eating habits. They consume less fruits and vegetables and instead more processed products. In this group, there are more frequent problems with overweight and obesity, but also undernourishment. The problem particularly affects older people. The need to eat meals without the company of others deepens the feeling of loneliness and negatively affects mental health. Many older people who are admitted to the hospital suffer from nutrient deficiencies due to inadequate nutrition. During treatment, they are forced to eat their meals alone, which leads to a further deterioration of their nutritional status. Studies conducted in the United States showed that older patients consumed significantly larger portions of meals when encouraged to eat together with caregivers. Eating meals alone also leads to more food waste. A survey in the UK showed that people living alone threw away 40% more food than those living with others. These difficulties result from problems with preparing an appropriate portion for one person and oversized packaging available in stores.4. Absence of focus during meal consumption
Nowadays, it is increasingly observed that people, even during communal meals, are withdrawing from society and not paying attention to either the food or the people present. It is no longer surprising to see a group of people in a restaurant who are only looking at the screens of their smartphones. A similar situation exists in the workplace, where lunch is often eaten in front of a computer screen. People who eat in front of the television eat up to 15% more portions than those who eat in other situations. In this way, obesity and overweight can develop (C. Spence, 2018). Such behavior also hinders the building of relationships with other people during shared meals. In a restaurant in New York, it was decided to put boxes with cards with predefined discussion topics on the tables, in order to encourage guests to talk and prevent constant staring at the smartphone screen. A special vessel was also developed, called the offline glass, which, thanks to a special bottom, stands straight only when it is supported by a phone. This is also a way to encourage people to refrain from using devices during meals.5. Is it always a mistake to dine independently?
Not all individuals feel negative when they eat alone. Some appreciate the opportunity to focus entirely on their food, allowing them to enjoy their meal even more. This method of eating is referred to as mindful eating. The philosophy of mindfulness encourages one to pause and concentrate on the present. Eating should be slow and mindful, engaging all senses, not just tasting the food, but also observing its appearance, color, temperature, texture, and aroma. Mindful eating can aid in reducing stress and better understanding the body's signals. Consuming meals with others brings numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Therefore, it is worth setting aside time to gather with loved ones at the table, even with a very active lifestyle.
