This is unhealthy, however, good the food, because a meal represents far more than just food and nutrition to the body. It is a time for family communion — fellowship, conversation and enjoyment.

The sharing of food has always stood for the sharing of love. A pleasant dinner has always been the highlight of a special occasion. No gala event is complete without a sumptuous feast. Sharing food is a way to strengthen bonds between people. Hence the saying: The family that eats together, stays together.

The old adage is true: the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. People are more receptive, more amiable over a pleasant meal. The trend of having business lunches has the same rationale.

Is the atmosphere pleasant when a family eats on the run? In many cases it is not. It is accompanied by harsh talk, arguments, unpleasant discussions, bad manners, gossip and parent-child confrontations.

It is not unusual for the dining table to resemble a cafeteria as members of the family eat whenever they please. An emotionally upsetting experience reduces appetite. In times of stress, one seldom thinks of food.

When the atmosphere is pleasant and food is being enjoyed, there is an increase in the secretion of saliva and digestive juices in the stomach. These promote digestion.

If arguments or tempers flare, digestion is impaired. Food taken into the body at these times finds its way into the digestive tract without proper digestion. It putrifies, producing gas and toxins.

Meal times are good times to relate the happenings of the day , boast of small triumphs and give praise for tasks well done.

It is an excellent time for sharing jokes. Joviality makes even a simple or poor meal a "rich" one. Season food with smiles and it becomes a tonic. Fry it in scowls and it becomes toxic.

At these times children can be taught socially acceptable behaviour, how to develop good personality traits and social poise, practice restraint by refraining from eating until all have been served, and show respect and concern for the feelings of others through the use of good table manners and avoidance of conversational topics that offend.

Ill-mannered children are annoying and embarrassing. Edgy parents nagging their offspring are out of place in the serene ambience of the dining table. This is very obvious in restaurants. There are scores of subjects for pleasant conversation. It is important to make sure the conversation is pleasant.