Healthy Or An Eating Disorder? Experts’ Take On The “Girl Dinner” Trend

Have you heard about the “girl dinner” trend? With a staggering 1.3 billion views on TikTok, it’s become quite the sensation. And no, it’s not about a girls’ night out at a fancy restaurant.

It’s a more laid-back, sometimes haphazardly assembled dinner, pieced together from whatever’s available in the fridge or pantry. Think of it as a personal charcuterie board: some deli meat here, a bit of cheese there, perhaps some fruit or crackers, and voila!

Olivia Maher, who’s often cited as the trend’s creator, once mentioned in a TikTok video that peasants in medieval times mostly survived on bread and cheese. And guess what? That’s her “ideal meal.”

Some find the trend a bit unsettling, while others swear by its simplicity and potential health benefits.

Is girl dinner healthy or an eating disorder? Let’s find out

Let’s dig deeper. Dr. Neha Pathak, a medical professional with dual certifications in internal and lifestyle medicine, sees it as a way to rekindle the joy in eating.

As a mother of three and a proponent of healthy eating, she finds the prospect of “girl dinners” refreshing. She even cheekily suggests the idea of introducing “girl lunches” and “girl breakfasts” to the mix.

For Dr. Pathak, the primary focus is ensuring that such meals are rich in protein, veggies, and carbs, steering clear from unhealthy processed foods.

The “OG wellness influencer” Olivia Amitrano, founder of the wellness brand Organic Olivia, chimes in with her take. For her, the “girl dinner” trend offers a unique way to improve gut health.

According to her, it’s not just about the quantity of good bacteria in our gut but their diversity. A diverse gut microbiome is essential for digestion and nutrient generation.

A diverse meal can lead to a diverse gut, which in turn can offer health benefits especially for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

Amitrano’s girl dinner trend? It’s protein-centric, with cottage cheese taking the center stage, paired with a medley of vibrant veggies, and perhaps a slice of toast smeared with hummus or avocado for that healthy fat.

But she also emphasizes that these dinners should be about exploring different foods and breaking the monotony of our daily meals.

The fun part? “Girl dinner” doesn’t mean you stick strictly to healthy foods. As long as you’ve got your protein and fiber basics down, throw in some chips, pretzels, or even enjoy a glass of wine. The key, Amitrano points out, is ensuring there’s abundance on the plate.

However, the trend isn’t without its critics. Concerns have been raised about TikTok’s potential promotion of a “toxic” diet culture, especially in the wake of a concerning rise in adolescent eating disorders post the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are instances where some “girl dinners” might seem a tad sparse, leading to questions about whether they provide enough nourishment.

Eating disorders expert Chase Bannister provides a nuanced view on the matter. He believes it’s unwarranted to raise alarms based on a singular meal trend. It’s essential to consider the broader context.

So, if you’re hopping on the “girl dinner” bandwagon, remember: enjoy the spontaneity, ensure variety, and most importantly, listen to your body’s needs. After all, food is as much about nourishment as it is about joy.

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