1. EachPod

Allison Keating - The Psychology Behind Reclaiming the Family Meal Time

Author
Sinead OMoore
Published
Wed 03 Sep 2025
Episode Link
https://www.instagram.com/sinead.omoore/

Bonus Episode for your September Reset:


Eating together as a family (at least a few nights a week) builds stability, safety and connection and healthy food habits - and according to my guest Psychologist Allison Keating, the connection starts long before the first bite.


Yes we had a summer of eating on the go but autumn, school and routine is here and its time to settle back in to the kitchen table - and here Bestselling Author Psychologist Allison Keating explains why.


New research from HelloFresh reveals that family dinners in Ireland are in decline.

The desire to reverse that trend is strong, with 85% wishing they could enjoy more family meals together. The biggest barriers are a lack of

time (58%), children’s busy schedules (30%) and the sheer overwhelm of weeknight chores (23%).


As the pressure to “do it all” mounts with the return to school, parents admit that dinnertime has

become less a cherished ritual and more a daily chore they struggle to keep up with. More than 80% of

those aged 25 to 34 say they spend less time at family dinners than they did in the past, highlighting

how quickly the tradition is fading in households with young children.


Here we talk about practical solutions to reduce the overwhelm of mealtimes, why children benefit from being involved in the prep and the psychological benefits (along with nutritive) for sharing a balanced meal as many evenings as you can manage together.



Supported by Hello Fresh, Ireland's No1 Recipe Box

Get 50% off your First box HERE



"The 40's Stretch" is a Stretch Marks Production,

Hosted by Sinéad O'Moore, produced by The Brand Story and sound edited by Alan Breslin.

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