The government would like you to talk to your family during mealtime

The Obama administration continues to provide a steady stream about what to eat and how to eat it, and is now advising citizens to talk to their family members when eating at home.

"During family meals, focus on each other at the table," the U.S. Department of Agriculture emailed on Tuesday morning. "Talk about fun and happy things at mealtime and enjoy television viewing and phone calls afterward."

USDA offered similar advice in a tweet:

During family meals turn off the TV, take phone calls later. Talk & enjoy each other. https://t.co/RNCZ8x2oI6

— ChooseMyPlate.gov (@MyPlate) March 10, 2015

MyPlate is a section of USDA's website that gives out food advice, offers government-sponsored cookbooks and recipes, and has approved tools and guidance that people can use to manage their weight.

The site dispenses advice on a daily basis. On Sunday, for example, it had three ideas for how to eat healthy food on a tight budget. "Plan before you shop, purchase items at the best price, and prepare meals that stretch your food dollars," it said.

The site also has lots of advice on how kids can eat healthy meals at school, when they're not home talking to their families during mealtime.

Build a #MyPlate meal at #schoollunch. Identify foods from each food group on the school menu. #NNM pic.twitter.com/toLPvmdKGY

— USDA Team Nutrition (@TeamNutrition)

March 6, 2015