The Importance of Family Meals Family meals improve dietary quality and promote healthy weight –Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, calcium-rich foods, protein, iron, fiber, and Vitamins A, c, E, B-6 and folate –Lower intake of soft drinks and snack foods Family meals lower risk-taking behaviors –Kids who eat dinner with their families 5 times a week or more are least likely to take drugs, feel depressed, or get into trouble Family meals improve family relationships and emotional health –Emotionally content and positive peer relationships –Work hard in school –Improved family communication and stronger family ties Family meals improve academic performance –Improved vocabularies and reading skills –Improved achievement test scores –Higher grades