Eating a good and balanced diet is essential to our health and wellbeing, but sitting down to a family or group meal also provides us with an opportunity to socialise. And, since enjoying good food and pleasant company contributes to our psychological wellbeing, group or family mealtimes should be encouraged. Sometimes, particularly if the task of eating is very messy and personal dignity is at stake, the diner may choose to eat alone, with help at hand, if necessary. People who live alone obviously have no choice but to eat alone; and the task of preparing a meal.
