You know how I’m always saying “Food is Connection“?  I 100% believe that. Food connects us to the loved ones in our lives. We share particular foods on holidays (like Thanksgiving) and special days (like Valentine’s Day). Folks who have moved here from another country, or even part of the US, bring their food culture with them. Parents cook favorite foods with their kiddos. Food connects us to our family & friends, our culture and our past.

Sharing food is connecting

Take a moment and think about this: when we gather with friends or family, it’s often around a food event. When we meet up with friends, we often go to a restaurant. Sharing a meal is connecting, and we do it all the time. I preach this message because, in my line of work, many of the parents I speak to are primarily concerned about the nutrition in foods their children are eating (or not eating). The nutrients in a food is just one part of that food. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be mindful of the foods we consume and eat any old thing—just reminding us all that food connects us to each other.

National Grilled Cheese Day

Here’s a perfect example:  My older sister texted in our family text chain, “Today is National Grilled Cheese Day– I’m open to any grilled cheese ideas!”  My brother from California texted “Kraft American cheese is the gold standard”, my younger sister on the Vermont border reminded us all to fire up some tomato soup for dipping, my sister-in-law shared a photo of the bacon & avocado grilled cheese on sourdough bread that she cooked up and I shared the brie cheese, fig jam and hashbrown grilled sandwich that I’d had in Australia. (Fun fact: grilled cheese is called a “toastie” in Australia). My siblings and I spent the morning texting back and forth about grilled cheese and other related foods. This ultimately, and it almost always does, lead us to reminisce about our childhood.

Grilled Cheese Day was the impetus for a lovely and connecting exchange with my siblings. I doubt that it would have been so enjoyable if we had concentrated on the “healthiness” of grilled cheese. Food for thought ;).

Snack Idea:

1/2 Grilled cheese sandwich & mini tomatoes

Reach out at Karen@CoastalFamilyNutrition.com or call the office at 603-674-2479.

Please feel free to share this with someone who may like to learn more about feeding kiddos!