At the end of a long day, cooking a nutritious meal can seem like a chore and it leaves us reaching for whatever is lying around in the kitchen; a handful of grapes, a slice of turkey breast, two almost-stale biscuits and a cup of English breakfast tea. This phenomenon has been lovingly nicknamed Girl Dinner by TikTokers, as a playful dig at the way women snack. Here, Zoe Griffiths, the Global Nutrition Director for Allurion, breaks down how the trend could unintentionally fuel unhealthy eating habits and offers suggestions about how to ensure your Girl Dinner is nutritious this festive season and beyond.
#GirlDinner has become a popular trend on TikTok with over 2.7 billion views. It involves women choosing to have snack boards instead of traditional dinner meals with a typical “Girl Dinner” consisting of bread, some type of cheese, fruit; usually grapes or apple slices, and pickles, but it can be customised based on individual preferences, such as comfort food or leftovers. However, while some people praise this trend as a culinary revolution that celebrates individuality, encourages the exploration of new gastronomic horizons and pokes fun at stereotypes, it is important to remember that what goes viral on social media is not always synonymous with health. Content creators may not always consider the message they convey, especially for their younger demographic, who may be more impressionable to develop unhealthy relationships with food.
The Girl Dinner trend could lead to unhealthy eating habits, affecting healthy habits, blood sugar levels and causing deficiencies in essential nutrients. As we immerse ourselves in the holiday season, often synonymous with snacking and overindulgence, one can still adopt a healthier approach to the Girl Dinner trend by making smart substitutions in meals. These thoughtful choices can enhance the overall nutritional content of your food. These can be anything from a change in cooking style to switching out ingredients to more wholesome alternatives.
View this post on Instagram
Here are a few tips and tricks for making #GirlDinner more filling, healthy and balanced:
Swap processed meats such as sausage and luncheon meat for unprocessed alternatives, including turkey breasts and cold meats.
Switch out white bread for whole-grain brown bread or oatmeal bread.
Ditch the sugar and sweeten dishes with fruits; tinned, frozen or dried.
Try plain popcorn instead of croutons in soups and salads. Popcorn is also a great option for making homemade snack bars.
Fat-free yogurt or cottage cheese is a healthier alternative to sour cream for dipping.
When baking sweet treats, try using mashed avocado instead of butter or oil to add creaminess, or as an alternative to mayonnaise when making sandwiches.
Consistency is key. Pack your snacks and plates with colourful and varied fruits and veggies to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs. Be smart with your portions – fill your plate half full of veggies and then add a quarter of a plate of fibre-rich carbohydrates (brown rice, pasta or potatoes) and a quarter of protein (meat, poultry, seafood or eggs). And don’t forget to celebrate!
Read Next: The AW23 Trends To Incorporate Into Your Festive Wardrobe
- Words by Zoe Griffiths, Global Nutrition Director for Allurion
