There's no doubt the current global financial crisis has been tough – but it's also proved to have a silver lining for families. One in six families report spending more time together as a result of the downturn.

And when it comes to the dinner table, more time together is good news for your health. According to several studies conducted by two leading US universities, families who eat together are far less likely to be plagued by eating disorders, drug use, smoking, and alcohol abuse.

Australians are returning to the table with gusto. Much has been made of the MasterChef effect, with the hit show reportedly inspiring many Aussies – especially kids – to get into the kitchen.

The proof is at the supermarket checkout. Despite the general downturn, grocery sales are up and retailers reckon they know why. "What we have seen in the last three-quarters to a year has been that generally there's been a upsurge in cooking at home by the relative sales of food and food ingredients and cooking ingredients," says Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe.


Clearly eating-in equals good news for the hip pocket but it's also a bonanza for your health. "The first benefit is you can control every ingredient that goes into your food," says accredited practising dietitian Kate Di Prima. This means more vegetables and less sugar and fat, as well the ability to control portion size.

But the benefits of meals in the home extend far beyond good nutrition. "Dinner as a family at the table can be a forum for discussing the day. Around the table you can talk about what’s happened – you can start actual conversations," Di Prima says. It also presents parents with the opportunity to lead by example, to model good table manners and to educate about healthy eating.

Di Prima is thrilled about the return to home cooking. "The message is getting through that eating at home is healthier, cheaper and more family friendly. Shows like MasterChef are getting people excited about cooking from fresh ingredients, not just from bottles or jars or sachets," she enthuses.