Is eating alone bad for you?
不只是一頓飯 獨自一個人吃飯不好嗎？
When I was growing up, my family shared a home-cooked dinner every night. We would catch up on each other’s days and make plans together. Scarcely a dinner went by without a guest joining us, which added to the fun. Now, I prioritize dinnertime with my own family. By setting our cellphones aside, we strengthen our connection over a meal.
Studies confirm that shared family meals have physical and emotional benefits for children and youth. They reduce unhealthy eating habits, eating disorders, substance use, and depression. The benefits of communal eating aren’t just confined to family meals. A University of Oxford study found that people who place an emphasis on eating with others tend to feel happier and less alone. They feel better connected to their community and experience greater life satisfaction than those who usually eat alone.
Yet, modern culture has shifted away from communal meals and toward eating alone as people move farther from home, live alone and work at jobs with varying hours. According to Psychology Today, Americans are eating nearly half of their meals alone! East Asian countries like Japan and Korea are also experiencing this trend toward eating solo.
Language Lab
dinnertime n. 晚餐時間；吃晚餐的時候
the time of day when people usually eat dinner
- The children rushed inside as soon as they heard their mother call out that it was dinnertime.
孩子們一聽到媽媽喊說是晚餐時間，就立刻衝進屋裡。
dinner guest n phrase. 晚餐客人；一起來吃晚餐的客人
a person who is invited to someone’s home for dinner
- Each dinner guest brought a favorite dish from his home country to share at the potluck.
每一位晚餐客人都從自己的國家帶來一道拿手菜，和大家一起在聚餐中分享。
dinnerware n. 餐具；餐桌用具
plates, bowls, cups, and other items used for serving and eating meals
- She carefully set the table with her finest dinnerware for the holiday meal.
她為了節日大餐，小心地用最精緻的餐具把桌子擺好。
growing up verb phrase 成長過程中；從小到大的時候
- When I was growing up, my family shared a home-cooked dinner every night.
在我成長的過程中，我的家人每天晚上都會一起吃家裡煮的晚餐。
home-cooked adjective
prepared at home, especially food cooked by someone in their own kitchen
- My family enjoyed a home-cooked dinner together every night.
我的家人每天晚上都一起享用家裡煮的晚餐。
scarcely adverb 幾乎不；很少；難得
/ˈskɛrsli/
almost not; only just; very rarely
- Scarcely a dinner went by without a guest joining us.
幾乎沒有哪一頓晚餐是沒有客人一起參加的。
strengthen one’s connection verb phrase 加強彼此的連結；增進關係；拉近感情
to make a relationship or bond between people stronger
- By setting our cellphones aside, we strengthen our connection over a meal.
把手機放在一旁，我們在用餐時加深彼此的連結。
confine v. 限制；使（人或動物）待在某個範圍內；拘禁
/kənˈfaɪn/
to keep someone or something within limits or in a particular place
- They had to confine the dog to the backyard during the party.
派對期間，他們不得不把狗限制在後院。
- The prisoners were confined to their cells during the lockdown.
封鎖期間，囚犯被限制待在自己的牢房裡。
confinement n. 限制；拘禁；被迫待在某個地方的狀態
/kənˈfaɪnmənt/
the state of being kept within limits or in a particular place, often for a long period of time
- The patient’s long confinement to bed made her eager to walk again.
病人長時間臥床受限，讓她非常渴望再次走路。
disorder n. 失調；混亂；疾病（尤指身心方面的障礙）
/dɪsˈɔːrdər/
a condition in which something is not working properly, or a state of confusion or lack of order, especially related to health or behavior
- Eating disorders can have serious physical and emotional effects.
飲食失調可能對身體和心理造成嚴重影響。
depression n. 憂鬱；憂鬱症；情緒低落（尤指長期、嚴重的）
a mental health condition marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest
- Depression can affect both a person’s mental and physical health.
憂鬱症會同時影響一個人的心理和身體健康。
communal adj. 共同的；共享的；社群的
/kəˈmjuːnəl/
shared by a group of people; relating to a community or shared activity
- Communal eating helps people feel more connected to others.
一起吃飯的共享用餐方式，能幫助人們感覺與他人更有連結。
- The dormitory had a communal kitchen where all the students cooked their meals.
那棟宿舍有一間公共廚房，所有學生都在那裡煮飯。
commune (with) v. 與……深度交流、沉澱、連結
/kəˈmjuːn/
- She spent time in nature to commune with her thoughts.
她花時間待在大自然中，與自己的想法對話、沉澱心情。
emphasis n. 重視；強調；著重點
/ˈɛmfəsɪs/
special importance that is given to something
- The school places an emphasis on healthy eating habits.
這所學校很重視健康的飲食習慣。
modern culture noun phrase 現代文化；當代生活方式與價值觀
指的是現代社會中人們的生活型態、習慣、觀念與行為
（常用來對比 traditional culture 傳統文化）
the beliefs, customs, lifestyles, and values of people in today’s society
- Modern culture has changed the way people eat and socialize.
現代文化改變了人們用餐和社交的方式。
shift away from + (n.) verb phrase 逐漸遠離……；不再以……為主；從……轉變開來
to move gradually away from something, such as an idea, habit, or way of life
- Modern culture has shifted away from communal meals.
現代文化已逐漸遠離共同用餐的方式。
varying adj. 不同的；變動的；不固定的
/ˈveriɪŋ/
changing or differing from time to time or in different situations
- She works at a job with varying hours.
她從事一份工時不固定的工作。
trend toward + (V-ing / N.) noun phrase 走向……的趨勢；朝向……發展的現象 (通常用來描述社會、文化、行為的長期改變)
a general direction in which something is developing or changing
- Many countries are experiencing a trend toward eating alone.
許多國家正經歷走向獨自用餐的趨勢。
scarcely + 動詞 + without + V-ing / 幾乎沒有不做某件事的時候
- He scarcely passes a mirror without looking at himself.
他幾乎每次經過鏡子，都會看自己一眼。
Deep Dive
catch up phrasal verb
to talk with someone you haven’t seen for a while, or to reach the same level or state as others after being behind
① catch up (with someone)
- I called my cousin to catch up.
我打電話給我的表哥（表妹）敘敘舊。
② catch up on (something) 補進度、補回缺的事情
- I stayed up all week studying. I need to catch up on sleep this weekend.
我整個星期都熬夜念書，這個週末需要補眠。
③ Let’s catch up! 找時間聊聊
- Let’s catch up over lunch!
我們找時間一起吃午餐聊聊吧！
