Is food healthier when you share it with others?

Eating alone is nearly unheard of in Southern Europe. Could eating with others be one of the reasons these wonderful people suffer far less from obesity and cardiovascular diseases than the rest of the Western world?

It might not be as simple as that – but there must be some truth in it. When you share a meal with others, you eat and converse, meaning that you most likely take at least double the time to eat. Therefore the digestion process will start while you’re still eating, and it’s easier to notice when you are full and when it’s time to stop eating.

Bestselling author of ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat’, Mireille Guiliano, also talks about this in her book. Taking the time to eat, sharing the experience with others and enjoying the whole process is key to a keeping a slim and healthy body.

There are also other benefits to not eating alone. Eating together is an experience. Whether you eat together with your colleagues in the kitchen space of your office, with friends, family or business relations at home or outside, eating is an intimate experience. Many of us feel grumpy and low when our tummies are empty. Once the issue is being addressed by good food, everyone feels better.  Sharing that mood change is something that brings people together.

A newly released book about networking and creating lasting relationships by Keith Ferrozzi, ‘Never Eat Alone’, also explains how sharing food with someone in a business context is a great way of building trust – especially if you invite people to your home.

But what about your everyday relationships? Your spouse, your children, your parents? How often do you take the time to sit down together for a meal? Do your kids know how to sit at a table with adults and discuss and share their opinions, listen to others talk?

Don’t worry; I’m not trying to give any parenting advice. I’m not the greatest example myself. I can’t help thinking how wonderful it would be to sit down as an entire family, however. I’m sure there’s still hope!

So, this week, let’s share a meal together every day. No matter how busy we are.

Here’s an idea for a quick and easy sharing platter:

Olives

Smoked chicken breast slices

Beef salami

Mozzarella, Gruyere, Gouda or Cheddar slices and/ or cream cheese

Celery, cucumber and carrot sticks

Cherry tomatoes

Potato salad (boiled and cubed potatoes, chives, red onion, sour cream, capers, Dijon mustard)

Warm Ciabatta bread, Baguette or Chia wraps

Bon appetit!