As Easter approaches—one of the times of year when family meals take on special significance—Agricola International is releasing the study “Family Meals Among Romanians,” which shows that for Romanians, eating together is associated with better food choices, quality time spent with loved ones, and greater care for the family. According to the data, nearly 71% of respondents say they eat better when dining with their family, and over 84% believe that eating together contributes to the development of healthy eating habits in the long term.
According to a survey conducted between March 20 and 31, 2026, family meals remain a common practice in the lives of many Romanians. More than half of respondents (53.53%) say they eat with their family every day, and nearly a quarter (24.64%) do so several times a week. At the other end of the spectrum, 14.86% state that shared meals occur rarely or almost never, a sign that this ritual is increasingly coming under pressure from the demands of daily life.
Most often, families in Romania gather for dinner, cited by 51.56% of respondents as the main meal they share together. Another 24.32% mention lunch, and only 5.82% mention breakfast. The data suggests that for most Romanians, the family meal remains the time to reconnect at the end of the day, when family members manage to reconnect around the same table.
“The Agricola study confirms an important point: the tradition of family meals remains stronger than the pace imposed by modern life. Even though conflicting schedules, fatigue, and the pressures of daily life make it increasingly difficult to maintain this custom, Romanians continue to associate it with better nutrition and quality time spent with loved ones. We are particularly pleased that nearly 80% of respondents consider it important that products can be prepared together with the family, including the little ones. “This way, they learn more easily what good food choices mean, develop healthy long-term habits, and naturally connect with family life,” said Cristian Călin, Public Relations and Communications Manager at the Agricola Group.
Family members’ conflicting schedules: the main obstacle to eating together
Although family meals are associated with clear benefits for nutrition and family relationships, the study also highlights the difficulties that stand in the way of this habit. Thus, 74.43% of respondents say that the main obstacle is family members’ differing schedules, followed by different food preferences, fatigue, and lack of time for cooking. In other words, the problem is not a lack of desire to eat together, but the fact that increasingly busy lives are becoming harder and harder to coordinate.
This pace of life also influences how Romanians view their diet. Over 75% of respondents (75.47%) believe that their current lifestyle affects the quality of their family’s diet. In this context, family meals take on added significance, becoming not just a daily routine, but also a source of balance, care, and closeness.
“Family meals are not just a setting for developing good eating habits, but a complex psychological mechanism that supports emotional regulation, relationships, and the healthy development of children. Eating becomes a ritual that brings a great deal of predictability and security to the family, with positive consequences for the regulation of stress and other difficult emotions. This type of repetitive interaction strengthens the sense of belonging and relational security. Informal conversations during mealtimes provide a natural setting for bonding, where closer and more stable relationships between parents and children are built. Mealtimes also serve as a “social micro-laboratory” where children learn to listen, wait their turn, express their opinions, and observe the emotions and behaviors of others. Thus, eating together contributes to the development of empathy, communication skills, and behavioral self-regulation. Longitudinal studies show correlations between regular family meals—characterized by warm conversations free of criticism—and lower levels of depression and anxiety, reduced risky behaviors, and a more stable self-image,” said Diana Stănculeanu, Parenting Education Specialist and Psychotherapist.
Home-cooked meals remain the gold standard for healthy eating
The study also shows that home-cooked meals continue to be perceived as the best option for family meals. In fact, 92.51% of respondents say that home-cooked meals are healthier than takeout. When choosing quick meals for family dinners, Romanians value natural ingredients, a taste similar to home-cooked food, quick preparation time, and affordable prices above all else.
However, a successful family meal isn’t just about good food; it’s also about how that time is spent together. 64.45% of respondents prioritize the quality of the food, while 61.02% emphasize the time spent together, without being rushed. Family meals thus remain the setting where care is evident both in what you put on the table and in the willingness to be present with loved ones.
*The study “Family Meals in Romania” was conducted using the iVox Research platform between March 20 and 31, 2026, with a sample of 1,121 adult respondents in Romania.
