Social media has a big say in what you think, feel and act. Guess what, it can even influence the way you eat and your relationship with the food. No wonder health experts caution people to be mindful before diving into the latest craze – “girl dinners.”
If you are late to the trend, girl dinners are nothing but simple snack plates put together with food items that need minimal to no cooking. The fad began in May after Olivia Maher, a 28-year-old content creator from Los Angeles, shared a video of her dinner menu on TikTok showing a spread of bread, butter, grapes, cheese, gherkins and wine.
Although the easy quick-fix dinner appeared pretty harmless in the beginning, health experts started to raise concerns as people began sharing pictures of aesthetically arranged small dinner plates showcasing cheese, crackers and fruits to less nutritious things like candies and sodas. Experts believe small portion size meals meant for a once-in-a-while snacking when followed regularly could lead to nutrient imbalance and disordered eating.
“There is legitimacy in every trend when it starts, but then it can take on a life of its own. So, I believe the premise of this, when it started was on good merit. Now it’s just kind of been taken out of hand, as things do on social media,” Sarah Moore, a certified holistic nutritionist from Nashville, told Medical Daily.
Although girl dinners might help in portion control in a “super size meal” world, Moore said caution should be taken when food trends become all about deprivation and not eating enough.
“I have seen a lot of unhealthy girl dinner plates. I believe the premise was to get items and make a small plate of the things that you already have in your home. If you are someone who doesn’t eat well your small girl dinner plate will also be unhealthy. If you have leftover things like vegetables or a hard-boiled egg or maybe some leftover chicken, you will make a smaller plate that is more healthy, well-rounded,” Moore said.
“Make sure…
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