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By Veronica Beltran

virtual dinners

Social dinners have their benefits, don’t stop because of COVID-19

Apr 7, 2020 | 1:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do a lot of things, and eating is one of them.

Not being able to sit around a table with friends or loved ones because of social distancing and self-isolating orders could potentially lead to mindless eating and poor eating habits according to Mary Lu Spagrud, Manager of Education and Projects at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Prince George.

“Eating alone can be alienating and can lead to poor eating habits such as standing up, making poor choices about what we are eating often grabbing the quick and easy and junk food.”—Mary Lu Spagrud, Manager of Education and Projects, Canadian Mental Health Association, Prince George

Spagrud says that eating together, whether with your family or a group of people “creates a sense of belonging,” which “leads to (an) increase(d) sense of being important to someone, secure in a group and even loved.”

So how do we connect during these times?

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Virtual Dinners.

The Massachusetts General Hospital even has a guide on how to host the perfect family dinner party with ‘The Family Dinner Project Pandemic 2020: Virtual Dinner Party Guide’.

The guide goes over four steps

• Decide how to connect: Assign a host and have that person invite guests; make sure each person can connect to the designated group chat app
• Set up the menu: Do a show and tell of your food, or create a theme (ie. surf and turf, BBQ)
• Get ready for fun: Play games to allow for an easier time getting everyone to participate
• Have conversation starters ready: Have ideas in your back pocket, as the more people there are invited, the harder it might be to find topics everyone relates to

Spagrud mentions that there are benefits to eating with a group including, more sensible eating habits, awareness of food choices and an increase in family or social connection.

“Studies have shown when families eat together, we see healthier body weights, decrease risk of eating disorders, better self-esteem and better results in school.”— Mary Lu Spagrud, Manager of Education and Projects, Canadian Mental Health Association, Prince George

Apps such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom allow for a virtual dinner with friends or family.

Photo Courtesy of Gene Han via Flickr.