A new study has found that three-quarters of parents have served dinner earlier than planned to prevent pre-mealtime tantrums, with many turning to quick easy family recipes to keep hungry kids happy. The research, commissioned by Frankfurter brand Herta and conducted by OnePoll, surveyed 1,000 parents of children aged between two and 10.
Early dinners and the 'witching hour'
The poll revealed that a third of parents have moved dinner forward to as early as 4 or 4.30 pm to tackle hungry tummies. One in five parents dread the after-school ‘witching hour’, with more than half (58%) saying their child declares they’re hungry the moment they walk through the door. Parents claim they have just 32 minutes before hunger turns to hanger, yet almost half (46%) avoid offering after-school snacks for fear of spoiling their child’s appetite before the evening meal.
Distractions and quick recipes
To manage the chaos, half of parents resort to TV as a distraction, while 31% keep their child occupied with activities such as drawing or tidying up toys while they prepare dinner. The study found that fancy mealtime prep often goes out the window, as 35% of parents regularly face repeated questions of "Is it ready yet?" While the average evening meal takes more than 40 minutes to prepare, almost a third (31%) end up making themselves something separate to eat later. Of those, almost half (48%) say it's simply too early for them to eat or they're not hungry yet, while 19% admit family mealtimes can be too chaotic.
Family favourites and double-dinners
Overall, 48% believe quick and easy dinners help keep both their children and themselves happier. Pasta (53%), pizza (38%), and fish fingers and chips (37%) top the list of the fastest family favourites to prepare. As a result, one in four often resort to ‘double-dinners’ – serving the same dish week after week to help keep hungry kids happy.
Expert advice
Briony May Williams, cook and TV presenter who has partnered with Herta, said: “For many families, the time before dinner can be one of the busiest parts of the day, especially when their little ones are hungry. As a parent myself, I know all too well how quickly a happy child can become a hangry one when dinner's taking a little longer than expected. However, cooking together gives families a few precious moments together, and even simple jobs like stirring, sprinkling cheese, or laying the table can help children feel involved, build their confidence in the kitchen, and distract them from their hungry tummies!”
Gemma Serdet, senior brand manager from Herta, which has created a family-friendly activity book to help parents make mealtime happier, said: “Our research highlights just how much pressure parents are under during the after-school rush. It’s no wonder so many are adapting their routines – whether that’s serving dinner earlier or finding ways to keep little ones occupied before dinner. Convenient, child-friendly, delicious dinner options can help take the stress out of family mealtimes. It’s about more than saving time – it helps families take the time to connect and makes mealtimes much happier all round.”
