'Girl Dinner' is TikTok's latest trending food craze, generating over 400 million views under its hashtag. The newest trend is to make anything one wants for supper and mix it up with leftovers and no-cook snacks.
While the fad has generated laughs, admiration, and creative views, it has also raised questions about disordered eating and its potential effects on nutrition.
The term "girl dinner" was first used by the trend's micro-creator, Olivia Maher, to describe her unplanned meal while her partner was gone.
The craze has become so popular that even the fast-food restaurant Popeyes has started offering a "girl dinner" option that only includes sides, CBS News reported.
The notion of a casual supper is not new; it is reminiscent of many other cultures' take on charcuterie boards, tapas, aperitivo, bento boxes, and meze. Though, some people are concerned that the "Girl Dinner" branding can encourage unhealthy eating patterns.
Some people recorded films with only chips as their girl dinner as the fad spread with millions of views. In response, nutritionists emphasized the need to prepare balanced, nutrient-dense meals.
Simple charcuterie-style meals may be fun and include nutritious ingredients like olives, fruits, and vegetables. However, other varieties of Girl Dinner rely excessively on saturated fats, salt, and sweets while omitting high-quality protein.
Generally Safe
Health experts advise focusing on overall eating patterns and including a range of nutrient-dense meals, even if the odd Girl Dinner may not be hazardous. Consuming processed foods and imbalanced meals may eventually result in nutritional shortages and detrimental effects on one's health.
@yourtango Girl Dinner may seem like a harmless and even funny trend, but does it have a darker side? #girldinner #trends #dinner ♬ original sound - YourTango
A family physician from Ohio, Dr. Mike Sevilla, thinks the TikTok "Girl Dinner" craze is generally safe and even has the potential to start a discussion about healthy eating. While he admits that such fast, snack-like meals would be a short-term solution, he sees a chance to teach patients about healthy eating habits, particularly in light of their busy schedules.
'Girl Dinner' May Promote Bad Eating Habits
However, family physician Dr. LaTasha Perkins raised concern about how the trend may affect young people, regardless of gender, since she believes it might mainstream disordered eating practices, which can have serious repercussions.
The trend worries registered dietitian Lisa Moskovitz, who warns that comparing one's eating habits on social media may be hazardous, mainly if it results in restricted eating habits or tiny portion sizes, per Fox News.
A charcuterie-style supper, such as the ones included in the trend, may be nutrient-dense and pleasant, according to registered dietitian Jenna Hope. But she emphasizes how crucial it is to provide a broad range of nutritious foods in such dinners.
Hope points out that certain trend variants are strong in salt, sugar, and saturated fats but low in protein. She also cautioned that consuming foods without nutrition may diminish energy levels. Regular intake may also lead to omega-3, calcium, and iron deficiencies, which may affect hormone synthesis, mood, skin health, sleep quality, and bone function, per Healthline.
While sometimes partaking in a Girl Dinner is unlikely to be harmful, experts stress the need to eat a generally well-balanced diet. Maintaining good health and preventing long-term adverse effects require nutrient-dense meals and reducing dependency on packaged processed foods.
