Huel Co-founder & Dietician Reveals the Surprising Missing Ingredient in Modern Diets
It’s all too easy to think of nutrition solely in terms of calories, macros, and meal plans. But, according to James Collier, co-founder of Huel and author of Well Fed: How Modern Diets Are Failing Us (And What We Can Do About It), we’re overlooking something that could be far more important: the way we eat together.
'Food has always been about more than just fuel,' Collier explained in a recent episode of the Men’s Health Podcast. 'Historically, eating has been a communal experience – one that strengthens relationships, provides structure to our day, and even helps regulate what we eat.'
But modern life has changed that. With busy schedules, on-the-go eating, and the rise of desk lunches, more of us are eating alone than ever. This could be doing more than just making our lives a touch less enjoyable, Collier says, it could be making our diets worse.
'When people eat together, they tend to be more mindful of what they’re eating,' Collier explains. 'They take their time, they listen to their hunger cues, and they’re more likely to eat whole, balanced meals rather than mindlessly snacking.'
What does the science say?
This idea of the relationship between community and food is an important part of Collier’s new book, and far from just being wishful thinking or nostalgia for simpler times – there’s some serious science behind it. Research has shown that regular shared meals lead to better dietary habits, lower obesity risk, and improved mental health.
A study, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, found that people who eat with others tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients, compared to those who eat alone. Further research from The Journal of Pediatrics, revealed that children and adolescents who frequently participate in family meals are significantly less likely to become overweight in later life.
And it’s not just physical health – our mental well-being could stand to benefit, too. Regular family meals have been linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and higher self-esteem. This research can be tricky to interpret as it’s hard to separate correlation from causation, but this really is a low-stakes lifestyle change to try and incorporate into your life. As far as we can see it’s all upside.
'Eating together fosters connection, which is something we’re all craving in today’s fast-paced world,' says Collier. 'It’s one of the simplest, most overlooked ways to improve both diet and overall well-being.'
How to make meals more social
Not everyone has the luxury of big family dinners, but Collier says there are small, easy ways to reintroduce the social side of eating:
Make time for at least one sit-down meal a day, even if it’s just with a friend or housemate.
Ditch distractions — no phones, no TV, just food and conversation.
Batch cook and share meals with others — it saves time and makes healthy eating easier.
'The more we can reconnect with the social aspect of food, the better our diets—and our overall well-being—will be,' Collier says.
If you want to take a deep dive into Collier's contemplative approach to nutrition, watch the video above or tune into the Men’s Health Podcast – on all good podcast platforms or via YouTube.
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