Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Credit: Getty Images. EatingWell Design.
Key Points
Sharing meals with others can reduce loneliness and promote emotional well-being.
Regular shared mealtimes are associated with lower risks of anxiety and depression.
Eating together can support a healthy relationship with food and lower the risk of disordered eating behaviors.
If you’re feeling lonely, you’re not alone. About half of U.S. adults experience feelings of loneliness, which increases the risk of premature death, heart disease and dementia. Mealtime presents an opportunity to counter these feelings of loneliness and support your mental health. “The act of gathering around the table creates a space for meaningful interactions, which are essential for emotional well-being,” says Lauren Manaker, M.S., RDN, LD. We spoke with experts about the mental health benefits of sharing meals. Here’s what they said.
Why Sharing Meals Can Benefit Mental Health
Reduces Feelings of Loneliness
We all have to eat every day, so it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with others and counter feelings of loneliness. And the research backs this up! “According to the World Happiness Report, sharing a meal with others was highly related to a greater sense of overall positive well-being and life satisfaction, stronger sense of social support and lower levels of loneliness,” says Erika Kawamura, Psy.D., DipACLM, ADHD-CCSP, MSHROL.
Gathering around the table allows you to share details of your day, check in with loved ones, connect over your shared meal or have a good laugh together. It’s a great antidote to the lonely lives many of us lead. “Sure, we need our alone time and space to reflect, de-stress and so on. But, the research shows that connecting with others helps us stay motivated, supports a positive attitude and helps us live longer,” says Ashley Danielson, RDN, LD.
Promotes Mindful Eating
If you’re used to eating while you work, drive or doomscroll, sharing meals may be just what you need to eat more mindfully. “Meeting up with colleagues or loved ones for a meal forces a person to slow down, be present with the meal and the conversations, and actually taste and enjoy their food!” says Kawamura.
You don’t have to prepare a fancy meal to make it worth sharing and savoring. In fact, having a roster of simple meals may help you eat at home more. “Planning ahead and keeping meals simple, like a one-pot pasta dish, can make shared meals more manageable,” says Manaker.
Spending just a few minutes more at the dinner table doesn’t just help you eat more mindfully—a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that it may also increase kids’ fruit and veggie intake.
Lowers Risk of Anxiety & Depression
“Having an enjoyable meal with friends and loved ones can boost your mood and relieve stress,” says Kawamura. According to a 2026 study in Scientific Reports, Americans who share at least one meal with others report lower stress, pain and sadness.
What’s more, studies show that sharing meals can lower the risk of depression and anxiety. A 2022 study in BMC Public Health found that having family dinner sometimes or nearly every day was linked with better mental health in adolescents, says Lisa Andrews, M.Ed., RD, LD. Another study—from 2022 in Nutrients—found that Korean adults who eat with others at least once a day have lower rates of depression.
Supports a Healthy Relationship with Food
“Promoting family meals and encouraging social engagement may reduce the risk of eating disorders,” says Andrews. She points to a 2024 study in Nutrients that found that eating meals with others is linked with lower rates of disordered eating behaviors—like restricting, binge eating, excessively exercising or purging. A 2024 study in Appetite found this to be especially true for kids and teens who identify as non-Hispanic Black.
Tips to Start Sharing Meals
Now that you know how great sharing meals is for your mental health, it’s time to find ways to weave them into your weekly routine. Experts share a few tips to start making your meals a social experience:
Make it device-free. Eating at the same table as others doesn’t necessarily constitute sharing a meal. If everyone’s on their phone or watching TV, there isn’t as much connection happening. “Make it a point to put away phones and turn off the TV during mealtimes to focus instead on chatting and connecting with people,” says Kawamura. Let it be an opportunity to unplug and focus on human connection.
Pick a consistent time each week. If you live by yourself, consider planning a weekly meal with family or close friends. “Planning in advance or identifying a protected time each week that people commit to can help everyone prioritize it,” says Kawamura. She suggests adding it to your calendar like you would any other appointment or event.
Make the whole process a shared experience. “When one person is responsible for planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning, it can feel overwhelming,” says Manaker. So get the whole family involved! Team up every step of the way so the whole experience becomes a shared one.
Have a potluck. Navigating different dietary needs, allergies and preferences can pose a challenge for some. A potluck is a great workaround to accommodate everyone and still share a meal! “Going potluck-style by having everyone bring something they want to eat can bring everyone together to eat at the same time and allow people to try other foods,” says Kawamura.
Our Expert Take
Studies clearly show that loneliness and isolation aren’t good for physical or mental health; yet, more and more people in the U.S. are eating meals alone. Slowing down and finding time to enjoy meals with others is a great opportunity to build community, unwind and foster a healthier relationship with food. Whether you add weekly family dinners to your calendar, host a potluck with friends or simply eat at the dinner table device-free a few times a week, you’re taking a step toward greater emotional and mental well-being.
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