This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, BiOptimizers, Kettle & Fire, and Sensate. Research has shown that the simple habit of sitting down for a meal with loved ones on a consistent basis can directly improve our food choices, reduce the negative effects of stress, and even improve our body composition. It’s not just what we eat, but how we eat, and with whom we’re eating that can make all the difference in the world.  Today on The Doctor’s Farmacy, I’m excited to talk to my good friend, Shawn Stevenson, about why family meals are now on the “endangered” list, what we can do to bring them back, and the power of food to bring families and communities together. Shawn Stevenson is the author of the USA Today National bestseller Eat Smarter and the international bestselling book Sleep Smarter. He’s also the creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the number #1 health podcast in the U.S. with millions of listener downloads each month. A graduate of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology, and nutritional science and became the cofounder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance. Shawn has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, Muscle & Fitness, ABC News, ESPN, and many other major media outlets. This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, BiOptimizers, Kettle & Fire, and Sensate. Access more than 3,000 specialty lab tests with Rupa Health. You can check out a free, live demo with a Q&A or create an account at RupaHealth.com today. Get 10% off Sleep Breakthrough. If you buy two or more you’ll get a free bottle of Magnesium Breakthrough. Go to sleepbreakthrough.com/hyman and use the code hyman10. Head over to kettleandfire.com/hyman today to see all of their products and use code HYMAN to save 20% off your entire order. Head on over to getsensate.com/Farmacy and use code FARMACY to get 10% off your Sensate device today. Here are more details from our interview (audio version / Apple Subscriber version): How our social connections determine our health (4:17 / 2:44) Research findings on families who eat together (10:16 / 5:53)  How culture influences our cravings and choices (17:15 / 15:11)  The prevalance of ultra-processed food in children’s diets (24:15 / 22:37)   The disconnect in understanding how food affects our biology (32:03 / 28:20)  Shawn’s journey away from primarily eating fast food and ultra-processed food (36:52 / 33:51)  Research findings about eating alone (53:39 / 49:15)  Environmental toxins in popular cookware and safer cookware options (56:18 / 52:20)  How to implement family meals (1:03:25 / 59:20)  Defining family beyond the traditional nuclear family (1:10:31 / 1:05:30)  Get a copy of Eat Smarter Family Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes to Transform Your Health, Happiness, and Connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices