families! Our society and family structure are changing fast. Single parent families are finding it hard to have a meal, let alone family mealtimes! Let me suggest some ideas that you may find useful or that may stimulate you to think of some creative solutions to your reason for not having family mealtime.

Too tired after a long day's work? Sit and plan a week's menu. Set aside a day to cook and freeze meal entrees for a week. Meals are then warm-up experiences! Use convenience frozen entrees from the supermarket.

Or, use the crockpot or microwave.

Shiftwork a problem? It need not be! Whether the meal you share is breakfast or supper, it does not matter. What matters is that you share -- food, ideas and yourselves. This is what gives families a feeling of unity, of belonging.

Does mealtime conflict with your favourite television show? Video tape the programme to watch later, while you enjoy the creativity of the family working together. Families working together on small projects learn cooperation and respect.

Are your teenagers always on the go? Set limits! Sit down with your teenager and agree what nights are good to have friends over for mealtimes and what nights are just for family. This teaches conflict resolution and allows you time to establish relationships with your teen and their friends.

Don't like cooking? As stated above, use frozen entrees from the supermarket.

Or, Involve the entire family in the meal preparation process. Delegate tasks according to members abilities. After all, why should one person do all the work when you have an entire family to share it with? Members are dieting? What better way to teach the principles of good nutrition for good health than now! Plan lowfat meal, prepare and eat them together. Good health is not acquired but, is a learned habit. Avoid fat diets that work for a short time but lead to being overweight in the end.

Don't have a family? Share mealtimes with friends, neighbours, co-workers, members of your support or church group. Families are made of people you have a relationship with. You can socialise, share costs, food and preparation time with your extended family.

The benefits of family mealtimes are numerous. For children, extensions of lessons learned at school are carried home, as social studies, language, art, etiquette and social skills are perfected around the mealtime table. For teens, a sense of belonging, respect, cooperation and the skills needed in conflict resolution are formed. For parents, time management and project management skills are perfected. These skills also look good on a resume.

To help you get organised, call 236-0224 ext. 259 or 385 for your copy of the "The Bermuda Food Pyramid Guide'', "The Menu Planner'', and lowfat menu ideas and recipes. Other tools will be available May 1-5, during Nutrition Week.

MELLONIE BARNUM Government Nutritionist Department of Health