Nutritionists and medical experts have recently criticized the TikTok “girl dinner” fad, calling it “disturbing.” The trend, which appears to be healthy, involves women all around the world sharing their slow dinners that resemble snacks.
There are some very relevant dinners on the TikTok sound that went viral. A single spicy ramen packet. Olive oil-drenched pasta for one. A variety of deli meats and cheeses. Everybody occasionally indulges in these kind of easy, leisurely dinners after a demanding day.
But some of the trend’s most popular “dinners” are hardly dinners at all. A corn can. A Coke Zero can. Ice cubes in a glass.
The video under this trend vary from cute and relatable to worrying and restricted. Even after accounting for humour, and irony, we must be aware that disordered eating patterns are frequently disguised as levity.
An appetizer and a few little nibbles make up “Girl Dinner.”
Although it traditionally look like a charcuterie board with bread, cheese, fruit, pickles, and nuts, it has changed to mean any simple meal you prepare when you’re alone yourself and no one is there to criticize your eating habits. Anything filling and simple to make can be considered “Girl Dinner,” whether it’s instant ramen, leftovers, or a bag of Doritos.
When Olivia Maher (@liviemaher), a TikTok user, posted a video of her dinner in May 2023, she came up with the name “Girl Dinner.
TikTok claims that "Girl Dinner" subverts gender stereotypes
Cooking complex meals for their husbands is part of the traditional expectations placed on women to take care of others, cook, and clean. Conversely, “Girl Dinner” gives women permission to relax and take a vacation from cooking. It feels so freeing and self-indulgent that they can eat everything they want for supper without having to lift a pot or pan.
Both couples must agree on how to divide up household chores for their relationship to succeed. This could take the form of designating one person to do particular responsibilities or having everyone take turns preparing dinner every other night.
Is this trend cause for concern?
Insufficient nourishment
Not all girl dinners are made equal, as you would have suspected. This implies that not every snack combination will provide you with the dietary advantages you require to be satisfied and in good health.
“You’re probably not going to be meeting your nutrient need with popcorn and wine. You’re also probably not getting enough vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
If you look at the #anyGirlDinner hashtag, you’ll see a lot of videos showcasing chips, candy, or items rich in sodium or trans fats. Unhealthy snacking is nothing new, but it’s easy to ignore when everyone on social media refer to a bag of chips as “Girl Dinner.”
It affects your sense of portion sizes.
There’s a reason why snacking is called that. It may be anything you consume during the day. Or it’s something you take on a walk or a long car ride.
However, replacing a big meal of the day (such as dinner) with snacking may become problematic, especially if the snack is unhealthy. Having an ounce or half-an-ounce of potato chips as a snack is very different than eating a complete bag of chips for supper.
That is not to imply that eating chips in moderation makes them healthier. But it’s best if you consume it in moderation or just infrequently, rather than as a meal.”
It’s also worth noting that if you only snack throughout the day and don’t eat regular meals, you’re most likely not eating enough healthful foods.
It could contribute to disordered eating.
Another worry about Girl Dinner is that it might affect our eating habits just as much as our food choices. “I’m worried that it could result in more widespread, unhealthy, or disordered eating pattern.
Once more, when you are not really hungry, there is no harm in having a smaller meal or indulging in nutritious snacks. However, it’s not helping you if you’re overeating, avoiding hunger cues, or eating less than normal just because it’s Girl Dinner.
Additionally, since it’s all you’re eating, I believe that nibbling on certain foods could result in overconsumption.
How to prepare a nutritious dinner for girls
“Protein, fiber, and healthy fats should be the three main ingredients of your meal.
Foods like (in grams) are included in this.
For Protein
Eggs boiled (6.3 g).
2.2 g of sliced turkey breast.
7.7 g of Swiss cheese.
6.3 g of mozzarella.
Cottage cheese without fat (12 g).
9 g of Greek yogurt.
Nuts such as walnuts (15.2 g), flax seeds (18.3 g), and almonds (6 g).
Next is fiber, which is abundant in a variety of foods such as:
2 g of cherry tomatoes.
0.52 g of cucumbers.
1 gram of celery sticks.
Bananas (3.9 g), blueberries (3.6 g), and apples (3 g).
Dip with hummus (0.89 g).
(8.1 g) Edamame.
3.1 g of pickled veggies.
Lastly, you want to replace trans fats on your plate with healthy fats such as:
30 g of avocado slices.
Olive oil drizzle (14 g).
14-gram coconut.
Snack items can be combined in countless ways. Try a bowl of almonds with sliced tomatoes drizzled with olive oil. Or perhaps a mozzarella and tomato salad. Hummus served with celery sticks and cucumbers. You might also choose for something sweeter, such as apple slices with almond butter.
According to some TikTok users, "Girl Dinner" promotes compulsive eating
Some people have utilized the “Girl Dinner” trend to draw attention to how little they eat, even though it’s all about sharing simple and relatable meals. Some “Girl Dinners” consist of a bowl of popcorn, a can of Coke, or simply a few pickles. If people support and encourage these kinds of videos, it could be troublesome. Young girls are already at a heightened risk of eating disorders, and those who already have a negative relationship with food may be triggered by the trend.
While occasionally eating a variety of snacks for supper is perfectly OK, making “Girl Dinner” every night is unhealthy. See a doctor or dietitian to learn better eating habits if you’re using “Girl Dinner” as a reason to undereat or skip meals.
Conclusion
With little work, girl meals can be a terrific method to meet your needs. However, it can be detrimental to your health to routinely choose to eat only one food category, in little amounts, or none at all. Keep in mind to pay attention to your body if you frequently find yourself slipping into the girl dinner trap instead of eating healthy, filling meals. Food is fuel, and whether or not it’s trendy, you should eat a meal that makes you happy.
