Dietitian's Take on "The Girl Dinner" TikTok Trend

The Girl Dinner is trending on TikTok. Started by an influencer, this snack-style dinner is essentially a charcuterie board blending various bite-sized foods together on a plate and calling it dinner. Followers of this crafty and resourceful meal are loving the idea of a quick and convenient option at night. While others are not so thrilled to see that it’s gone viral and are even labeling it as disordered, or at the very least, harmful for those with eating disorders. Here’s why:

First, the connotation that a smaller, snack-style meal is a “girlie” way to eat is enough to unpack. Of course, the creator’s intentions were more innocent and fun, but assigning a gender implies, to some, that girls should be eating less.

Second, comparing our own lives to those on social media is rife and therefore, can become easily problematic. When you see this so-called “girl” dinner as a more restrictive meal it can trigger a sense of guilt, shame or self-doubt around your own eating habits.

Finally, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t be bothered by anything that’s put out there. The reality is that the most vulnerable viewers are often the most abundant on platforms like TikTok - they are the low hanging fruit for captivating and popular posts like these. They are the ones most affected.

That said, if you are wondering if The Girl Dinner is a trend worth adopting, the answer is, it depends. What you eat is less important than WHY you’re choosing certain foods and HOW you feel afterward. If you like the idea of a snack-style dinner because it’s more convenient, easy and fun-looking, and you are satisfied eating it, then great. However, if you’re only eating foods because it’s what you “should” do, what’s more “acceptable” or “safe”, and are left feeling guilty, deprived or under-fueled afterward, then it’s not a healthy option.

Bottom line, choose foods that fuel, fill and fulfill you, whether that’s a “Girl Dinner,” a “Body Dinner” or a “Gender-Neutral Dinner.” There is room for it all.

If you are struggling with your relationship with food, and/or understanding how to eat healthy for your body and specific needs, click the link below to schedule an insurance-covered consult today.