Exploring The Benefits Of Communal Dining

Everyone has to eat – if only for survival yet somehow with the hectic lifestyle we live it seems that for many of us, eating often means grabbing something on the go. It wasn’t always like this. Indeed our ancestors didn’t regard food as merely fuel for our bodies, instead much significance was placed on mealtimes and people seemed to ‘get’ the importance of how and with whom we eat. With this in mind let’s take a closer look at how community eating has a place in today’s cafe culture, and the benefits it provides.

Slows things down

Dining as a group means taking a break from your fast pace of life. It entails sitting down, relaxing, and enjoying both the company and the food that is being served. It also allows us to concentrate on the actual act of eating i.e. chewing, tasting, and swallowing which leads to better digestion. Eating becomes pretty mindless when it’s on the go, slumped at a desk, or sitting in front of the TV.

Less danger of overeating

 Come on…… who hasn’t helped themselves to a second helping when they know that it’s their own guilty secret. Eating with others can prevent you from over indulging because you know that others may notice. Portion control is key to maintaining a healthy weight – so it’s a win–win situation.

A chance to socialise

Who knows, by the end of your meal, the stranger you were sat next to could become your new best friend. Communal eating is a great way of meeting other people, sharing a joke, and even confiding in someone and getting a weight off your shoulders.

Influences better food choices

Pehaps you and a few friends have the same goal of eating healthier and trying new foods. By eating together in a group you can help each other make healthier, more wholesome choices. By inviting people who live on their own to a weekly ‘meet’ it not only gets them out of their house but helps makes sure that they’re looking after themselves.

Regular mealtimes

If you’re eating with a group then it’s usually the case that you stick to a regular dining schedule. This helps you avoid snacking during the day and by sticking to scheduled mealtimes, it helps keep your blood sugars balanced (especially if you’re no longer skipping meals).

Communal dining is also a great way for strangers to a city to meet other people. There’s nothing to make you feel more lonely than sitting down to eat alone – well, that’s our opinion anyway!

Naturally some people prefer to dine in privacy with their friends so we’re not suggesting you fill the whole of your cafe with communal tables. However, if you have the space, why not slot in a couple of communal tables to give your customers even more seating choices. We’ve just added an extremely stylish communal table with a dark timber wood top and a robust black powder coated aluminium frame to our inventory, so why not take a look.