PDF download Download Article
Discover if “Girl Dinner” is healthy or harmful
PDF download Download Article

You may have heard the phrase “Girl Dinner” on TikTok, but what exactly does it mean? This viral term refers to any random assortment of foods you whip together and call dinner, and it’s the latest trend taking over the app. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about “Girl Dinner,” including its meaning, origins, and what TikTok users have to say about it.

Things You Should Know

  • The term “Girl Dinner” refers to the popular TikTok trend of women eating snack boards for dinner, instead of traditional entrées.
  • The typical “Girl Dinner” is a snack plate with bread, cheese, fruit, and pickles, but it can also be whatever you like—your go-to comfort food or even leftovers from the night before.
  • Some TikTok users believe “Girl Dinner” challenges the expectation that wives must cook and care for their husbands. However, other users believe it promotes eating disorders.
Section 1 of 3:

What is “Girl Dinner?”

PDF download Download Article
  1. It usually resembles a charcuterie board with bread, cheese, fruit, pickles, and nuts, but it has evolved into any low-effort meal you make when you’re alone—and there’s no one there to judge your eating habits. Whether it’s instant ramen, leftovers, or a bag of Doritos, anything that’s satisfying and easy to prepare qualifies as “Girl Dinner.”[1]
    • The term “Girl Dinner” was coined by TikTok user Olivia Maher (@liviemaher), who shared a video of her dinner back in May 2023. In the video, she pans over an assortment of bread, cheese, grapes, and cornichons, claiming it’s “something a medieval peasant might eat.”
  2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Discussion About “Girl Dinner” on TikTok

PDF download Download Article
  1. Traditionally, women are expected to cook, clean, and care for others, and this includes preparing complicated meals for their husbands. “Girl Dinner,” on the other hand, allows women to be lazy and take a break from the kitchen. They can eat whatever they want for dinner, without picking up a single pot or pan, which feels incredibly liberating and self-indulgent.[2]
    • In order to have a successful relationship, both partners need to agree on how to split household labor. This could look like taking turns cooking dinner every other night, or assigning specific tasks to one person.[3]
  2. While the “Girl Dinner” trend is all about sharing easy and relatable meals, some people have used it to highlight how little they eat. Some “Girl Dinners” include a can of Coke, a bowl of popcorn, or just a few pickles, and these types of videos can be problematic if people promote and applaud them. Young girls are already at high risk for developing eating disorders, and the trend may trigger people who have a poor relationship with food.[4]
    • While it’s totally okay to eat a bunch of snacks for dinner once in a while, it’s not healthy to prepare “Girl Dinner” every night. If you’re using “Girl Dinner” as an excuse to undereat or skip proper meals, talk to a doctor or dietician to help you develop healthier eating habits.
    • Foster good self-esteem and body image by curating the media you consume. If you follow any accounts that promote unrealistic beauty standards, unfollow them or limit the time you spend on social media each day.
  3. Since the “Girl Dinner” trend features women eating whatever foods they want, some users believe it’s a positive response to diet culture. Instead of restricting calories and banning certain foods, “Girl Dinner” encourages people to listen to their body and eat what feels right to them.[5]
    • When making “Girl Dinner,” try to diversify the types of food on your plate. Incorporate fruits, veggies, carbohydrates, and protein, and try to include various colors and textures.
    • To eat mindfully, chew slowly and savor your food. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to signal that you’re satisfied, so pay attention to how long you’ve been eating and how much is left on your plate.[6]
  4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

“Girl Dinner” Ideas

PDF download Download Article
  1. Whether it’s ramen, udon, or mac and cheese, read the instructions on the package carefully so you don’t overcook your noodles. If you want to elevate your dish, add extra ingredients! Condiments like Sriracha, sesame oil, and soy sauce complement Asian noodles perfectly, while toppings like breadcrumbs and bacon bits pair well with mac and cheese.
  2. Is there anything easier than tossing a few waffles in the toaster? Probably not! Stick with syrup, or add whipped cream, peanut butter, honey, or chocolate chips to make your dinner even more decadent.
  3. Guacamole is one of the easiest dips to make because it only requires a few ingredients—avocado, onion, jalapeno, salt, cilantro, and lime juice. Make guac at home or buy it from the store, and serve it with your favorite chips or veggies.
  4. Take inspiration from TikTok, and create your own personalized snack board. Boiled eggs, whole grain crackers, cheese, sliced apples, grapes, carrots, and cucumbers are excellent options for a balanced “Girl Dinner.”[7]
  5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

View Someone's Tiktok Profile Without Them Knowing4 Ways to See TikTok Profiles & Videos Without People Knowing
Go Live on Tiktok Without 1000 FollowersCan You Go Live on TikTok Without 1,000 Followers?
Grabovoi CodesThe Grabovoi Numbers Trend, Explained
Contact TikTok Contact TikTok: 8 Ways to Get Support
Restore Tiktok StreakThe Complete Guide to Reviving Your Broken TikTok Streaks
Install TikTok3 Simple Ways to Download the TikTok Mobile App
Get 1k Followers on Tiktok in 5 Minutes9 Strategies to Help You Gain 1,000 TikTok Followers in No Time
Post Picture in Comments Comment with Pictures on TikTok (And Why Some Can't)
Tiktok Auto ScrollCan TikTok Auto Scroll? How to Play TikTok Videos Automatically
Know if Someone Blocked You on TikTokKnow if Someone Blocked You on TikTok
Can Tab MeaningsWhat Does Each Can Tab Mean and Why Do People Give Them Out?
690 452 MeaningWhat is The 690452 Challenge On TikTok & How Does It Work?
What Does Zesty Mean TiktokWhat Zesty Really Means on TikTok
Access Drafts on Tiktok Find, Edit, and Save Drafts in TikTok
Advertisement

About This Article

Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones
Reviewed by:
Social Media Marketing Expert
This article was reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho. Anyah Gilmore-Jones is a Social Media Marketing Expert based in Nashville, Tennessee. An innovative experiential and social media marketer, Anyah is skilled at creating engaging brand experiences and leverages her passion for connecting people and ideas to drive organic growth for purpose-driven brands. As the founder of GROW by Gilmore, a social media strategy company, Anyah develops data-driven social media strategies focused on authentic community building. She has over 4 years of experience spearheading viral campaigns and producing content for brands like HBCU Buzz, Black & Scholared, SHEIN, and Project Art Collective. She received her BA from Howard University in Political Science and Government. This article has been viewed 25,370 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 13, 2024
Views: 25,370
Categories: Tik Tok
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,370 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement