Life ‘too busy’ for family meal

THE hectic modern lifestyle has led to Irish families only getting to sit down to eat together three times a week, according to a survey of our dining habits.

For most households with children, the trappings of life in the 21st century are mostly to blame for the low level of family meals.

The study carried out among 300 homes found busy schedules, longer working hours and commuting times all contribute to less time spent eating as a family unit.

Almost two-thirds of families (63%) acknowledged that they are simply unable to find time to prepare a family meal anymore.

Nutritionist Sarah Keogh said people have much less time to prepare or eat a proper nutritious meal these days.

“Longer working hours and the fact that it is becoming unusual for families to have a member at home to cook meals, has led to an increase in the amount of families regularly seeking time-saving solutions or takeaways in place of traditional meal options,” said Ms Keogh, of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute.

“Although there are a variety of convenience foods available, many are seen as being poor quality and can often contain very small portions of meat.”

Most Irish mothers spend about an hour cooking each day but less on weekends, when a quarter of those surveyed admitted to eating out or ordering a take-away.

More than half said they try to serve red meat three or four days a week.