“We always try to sit down together but I’d say realistically it would be 3-4 times a week.”
Dr. Nina Byrnes is the spokesperson for SuperValu’s Home Truths, a survey that set out to uncover the nation’s eating habits and threw up some very heartening results. According to findings more than 75 per cent of families try to cook from scratch where possible while only 16 per cent of families consider cooking to be an “unavoidable chore”. One of the most revealing findings shows that more than half of those surveyed believed eating a meal together is the “number 1 thing” that keeps families together.
Nina Byrnes is a busy mother of three. Alex (12), Luc (10) and 21-month-old, Ed. The Byrnes’ set up is slightly unusual in that Nina’s husband, Dean is a full-time stay-at-home dad while Nina juggles a busy work schedule, she is head of her own practise launched earlier this year and also regularly contributes to print publications, television and radio. Before Dean made the move to stay-at-home dad the schedule was hectic.
“We felt we had no quality of life juggling everything and the kids were the ones suffering. We were picking them up from creche, eating and going to bed and we thought really he was working to pay the creche.”
“It’s what works for our family there’s no right or wrong in this it’s just what works for you.”
Being the parent at home full-time can be difficult especially if you’re one of the few men at the school gates.
“He knows all the mums in the school and has their kids over on playdates. But I do think it’s much harder, they’re called “Mum and Toddler” group after all and there are days that he finds it tough.”
“When I’m home it is very 50/50, I know what I’m going to cook tonight ’cause I’ll be home in time and on the weekend I’ll do the cleaning and washing.”
“Sheryl Sandberg writes in her book Lean In about the importance of having the right partner, if woman are going to succeed they have to have support from a partner or family.”
“I don’t think we get it right 100 per cent of the time but what family does?” Nina says with a rueful laugh.
Nina and her husband love to entertain and love to cook. Nina likes to involve her kids in the preparation of food saying baking is a great start for young chefs.
“That’s how we started cooking in my own house, my mum got us into baking first and we try to involve the kids in planning meals which can be a bit of a debate.”
“Luc loves cracking the eggs. They love to lick the spoon and it’s a great time to have a chat to them and it’s a bit more informal, just pottering around the kitchen.”
“I like food to be a pleasure, and I hate the idea of deprivation. As a doctor I want people to be healthy but I still think food is a pleasure so I’m a huge believer in moderation in all things. There shouldn’t be guilt around food.”
“Obesity related illness is unfortunately a huge issue in this country. I believe we’ve forgotten about what this very campaign is about, making mealtimes a communal experience.”
“There’s lots of evidence that when you eat in front of the TV you eat more. So I was delighted to see that over 50 per cent of families sit down together five times a week. That’s incredible.”
“The more we make it about enjoying the food and enjoying the company, the better. It’s not about hoovering in your meal.”
This is why Nina doesn’t allow technology at the table though she admits that she is the biggest culprit in this area.
Nina believes the key to feeling better in our situation is forgiving ourselves for not being perfect all the time.
“I see a lot of young mothers who are stressed, they are doing the majority of the work at home and working full time and something has to give.”
“Women naturally have very high expectations of ourselves and we set our standards very high.”
To this end Nina has offered a few simple pointers for maintaining health and a positive outlook even when we’re feeling stretched.
Dr. Nina’s Top Tips for well-being:
Don’t try to be perfect – it’s not possible.
Try and get some sleep – six hours minimum and if you have a baby that doesn’t sleep well try to take turns with your partner where possible.
Practise mindfulness – even if it is just 10 minutes in the bath twice a week or listening to a song in the car, try to be present and live in the now.
Visit Dr. Nina Byrnes’ website Generation Health.
Read more about the SuperValu Home Truths Report.
