If you’ve missed the latest trend on TikTok let me update you here. With over 500 million views it’s blowing up the internet! Insert – Girl Dinners. They are to be known as low maintenance meals which mean perfect for not spending time in the kitchen. Here’s what you need to know about girl dinners!
However, some of these Girl Dinners are just showing up as a glorified snack plate trying to be a real meal. Dinners are now looking like nights of Charcuterie boards filled with deli meats, cheese and crackers. Some have added in some chopped veggies and fruit for good measure.
So why are so many people obsessing over this trend? Well these boards are easy to make and go the opposite direction of needing to make everything from scratch.
I do have to say though, this takes me back to some nights when I was younger and I just didn’t want to cook anything. I’d take a bowl of popcorn and throw in whatever fun and salty things were laying around the pantry. And bam – there was dinner!
There have been so many different versions circling around which is what is causing the mixed reviews of whether the Girl Dinners are healthy or not.
While some people are going full out and having boards filled with meats, cheese, whole grain crackers, fresh fruit, chopped veggies and hummus. There are other people hashtagging their girl dinners as a can of coke paired with a hamburger bun. Can we see where this can become a little “less” nutritious!?
Pros and Cons of Girl Dinners
These Girl Dinners are gaining popularity because they don’t have a huge time constriction and they’re usually less expensive. What pros and cons do we need to know about girl dinners?
Let’s be real, we’re all so busy in today’s world that sometimes it’s just nice to get home and not have to worry about standing over a stove or turning on the oven.
The cons of these dinners comes into play with what people are choosing to put on their boards. It’s easy to create a well-balanced and nutritious board. Add some chopped veggies, hummus, hard boiled eggs or tuna, some grapes and whole grain crackers – dinner for one is done.
But there are some people who are filling their boards with overly processed foods that aren’t giving us the nutritional support we need. While we’re all adults and we can make our own decisions, a girl dinner filled with chips, candy and soda probably isn’t going to help you nourish your body in the ways it needs.
When are bodies start lacking whole and minimally processed foods we could be missing out on key nutrients. Without those fruits and veggies into the mix it could have the board lacking in fiber which helps keeps us full. If we’re constantly hungry because we’re not getting enough nutrients it can lead to overeating, and not of the good stuff!
Another thing to note is the protein intake that is being put onto the boards. Our salt intake could be on the rise if focusing on using deli meat each time for your protein choice. These options also tend to be lower in iron and omega-3’s.
The good news is, we need to look at our diet as a whole and just not one meal that you have during the week. The charcuterie style dinners aren’t going to be horrible for you if you stick a little more thoughtfulness into how you’re filling your plate and don’t rely on it daily for your dinner. Variety is the spice of life here and that goes the same for our dinners!
How the Girl Dinner Trend can Increase Disordered Eating
While the Girl Dinner doesn’t seem too harmful, there has been concern that it could increase disordered eating.
Some people could look at this trend and start getting into the habit of just grazing during dinner time but not actually sitting down to eat a full meal. This could then lead to creating a negative relationship on how they view food and how much they should consume.
Naming it Girl Dinner can also put pressure or even add shame when it comes to eating. Some women may start to think this is the only way they should be eating. That small meals are what they should have.
Of course, this isn’t at all to say that this is what will happen to you if you enjoy the occasional girl dinner from time to time. Everyone is different and for some the girl dinner may be a great time saver and still offer all the nutrients your body needs. However, for some it could be a trigger especially if they’ve struggled with disordered eating in the past. So keep this in mind for something you should know about girl dinners.
How to Make a Healthy Girl Dinner
While there are so many ways to make the Girl Dinner there is one main premise that should be followed. Try building your dinners to include healthy proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber.
One place to start is to really focus on protein to keep you full longer. A great option could be hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna or even leftover grilled chicken from the night before.
Fruits and Vegetables are a great way to incorporate fiber into the dinner. Some of my go to options for this are carrot / celery sticks, cucumbers, mini peppers, apples, berries or peaches. A good rule of thumb is to look at foods that are in season.
For the record, eating fat won’t make you fat so don’t forget to add some onto your board! Avocado slices are a great addition plus they add some lovely color. Another option could be a drizzle of olive oil. The healthy fats also help our bodies absorb the fat-soluble fibers.
In Conclusion
The Girl Dinner trend on Tik Tok is going to look different for everyone and that’s ok. If you’re going to enjoy the latest fad please do! Just be mindful that some of these dinners may be including more nutritional value than others.
We all need dinners that are low maintenance and less expensive from time to time. Girl Dinners can be a great option! To make sure you’re getting your nutrients for the day remember to round out your plate. Include items with healthy protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats.
I hope you found this article useful on what to know about girl dinners. Remember, we are all different and require different foods on different days to best support ourselves. Do what is best for you and remember to enjoy your time at the dinner table.
