Why sharing your food is good for you

Eating alone is not good for us humans, according to various pieces of research.

One study in the journal Appetite says sharing a meal could actually make us all better people!

Primitive times

If you go back to primitive times, when eating was all about survival, food was served in the form of a hunted whole animal that needed to be eaten quickly, and it had to be shared by several families.

The basis of civilization, as we know it, is closely connected with our need for cooperation with regards sourcing food and learning how to distribute it, promoting mortality and equality.

Eating together

Researchers in Belgium surveyed students at the University of Antwerp, asking them how often they’d eaten home-cooked family meals with their parents and siblings during their childhood.

They also asked about their pro-social behaviour or altruistic acts towards others, such as giving directions to strangers, offering their seats on public transport, helping their friends move, and volunteering.

Altruistic behaviour

Those who shared meals more frequently in their childhood scored higher with regards altruistic behaviour.

When food is served in a family-style setting or on large sharing platters, people appear to engage with their pro-social selves more. So, braking bread together is good for you.

Host

So next time you host friends and family for dinner, consider getting some of your food items from us and having a buffet, as eating together is wonderful for your social wellbeing.