TikTok #GirlDinner & Disordered Eating Concerns

Written by Emily Costa

#GirlDinner is the latest trend on TikTok, with videos containing the hashtag accumulating more than 600 million views and the term becoming a recent trending Google search. Even popular restaurant chain Popeyes has added its own “girl dinner” to their menu. So what is a “girl dinner” and what are the potential links to disordered eating?

In the blog below we will discuss:

What “girl dinner” is
The potential pros of the trend
Why it may be triggering to some
How the trend may be perpetrating decades of diet culture
Concerns about food insecurity
Possible contributions to mindless eating
Why undereating can lead to binge eating behaviors
How “girl dinner” may trigger a relapse for someone with a history of an eating disorder
The importance of curating a healthy social media feed

So, what is “girl dinner”?

The trend started back in May when a woman named Olivia Maher posted a video sharing her “girl dinner”’ consisting of cheese, grapes, bread and pickles. Essentially, “girl dinner” is an array of snacks in replacement of a so-called typical dinner. The trend is gaining popularity with some people recognizing that it is a great way to make a quick meal without cooking or cleanup. While this may be convenient, just like with any popular social media trend, there are some concerns and downsides that are raising a few red flags. Let's discuss both sides below.

The potential pros of the trend

When used as inspiration in the right way, “girl dinner” can promote a sense of craftiness in the kitchen by utilizing what is available when there is a time crunch or a lack of desire to cook a whole meal but still wanting to honor your hunger. While it may consist of more ‘snack’ type foods, creating a balanced and nutrient dense meal can create satisfaction and lasting fullness if done in a mindful way.

Now for the downsides - can certain examples of “girl dinner” on TikTok be triggering?

Just like with any trend or content on social media, certain examples of “girl dinner” may be triggering both for those in recovery from an eating disorder or anyone affected by the pressure of comparison online. Some videos under this trend have showed people eating just one pickle or a can of corn, which is far from a full, nutritious dinner. For some, this can place the idea in their head that a full dinner balanced with protein, carbs and fats is ‘wrong’ and simply too much.

While this could not be further from the truth, this highlights social media's breeding ground for comparison, particularly in relation to food choices and body size. This can manifest as users comparing their own eating habits and physique with those of the individuals they follow or content they see, often leading to negative self-perception and potentially harmful behaviors. The guilt or anxiety around food choices can heighten body dissatisfaction and fuel further unhealthy weight control behaviors.

The name “girl dinner” - is it perpetrating decades of diet culture targeting women?

While the name is meant to be catchy and cute, some feel it is perpetrating decades of diet culture targeting women. Historically, women have been the primary target of diet culture due to societal standards and expectations surrounding female beauty. The media and advertising industries have perpetuated the notion of an 'ideal' female body, often characterized by thinness. This standard has been consistently marketed to women as the key to attractiveness, success, and happiness, pressing many into pursuing diets and weight loss regimes in a bid to conform.

Some feel that the term “girl dinner” feeds into this toxic culture by promoting the idea that women should eat less or differently than men. It carries a subtext of "eating lite," suggesting that women should place undue focus on calorie consumption and portion control. This concept can be harmful, as it reinforces gender stereotypes around eating habits, may accidentally pressure certain women into policing their food intake, or potentially triggers feelings of guilt or inadequacy around eating.

Another concern…is this just a way to cope with food insecurity? How does food insecurity impact one’s relationship to food?

With food prices rising almost 6% in the last 12 months, some wonder if this approach is becoming a common ‘solution’ for people when money is tight. Substituting consistent access to food with “girl dinner” is a cause for concern. While being crafty with ingredients in between grocery shopping can be helpful, utilizing this approach long-term as a response to food insecurity is detrimental.

Food insecurity, defined as the lack of reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food, can create an environment conducive to the development of disordered eating behaviors. It can elicit a sense of scarcity, leading to restrictive eating patterns when food is unavailable and binge eating when it becomes available. This paradoxical relationship - restriction due to the lack of food, followed by overconsumption when it's available, mirrors the feast or famine response, a behavioral pattern commonly observed in individuals with eating disorders. Furthermore, the stress and anxiety associated with food insecurity can exacerbate emotional eating and serve as a trigger for disordered eating.

Lack of mindfulness with grazing behavior

Grazing and snacking behavior can potentially disrupt the natural regulation of hunger and fullness cues, leading to a lack of mindfulness in eating habits. When individuals frequently snack or "graze" throughout the day, they may not experience traditional hunger pangs that signal the body's need for a meal. Similarly, constant eating may prevent the sensation of fullness from being recognized, as there is no distinct end to a meal. This continuous eating pattern can make it challenging to distinguish between eating out of actual hunger, and eating due to boredom, stress, or other emotional triggers. Over time, this can disconnect individuals from their internal hunger and fullness cues, leading to overeating or emotional eating.

Undereating can lead to binging

Undereating, or caloric restriction, often serves as a precursor to binge-eating episodes. When individuals consistently consume fewer calories than their body requires for its basic functions, they may experience intense hunger pangs and cravings. These physiological responses are the body's survival mechanisms kicking in, urging the individual to consume energy-dense food to quickly replenish nutrient stores. As a result, when food becomes available, the individual may overindulge, leading to a binge. Additionally, the guilt and fear of weight gain associated with such behaviors often trigger further caloric restriction, thereby perpetuating the cycle of undereating and binge eating.

Calling it ‘dinner’ may be a stretch when you are someone already struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder

Trends promoting smaller or less structured meals can potentially serve as stumbling blocks for individuals recovering from disordered eating or eating disorders. The normalization of smaller, sporadic eating patterns can inadvertently reinforce the idea that consuming less food, or eating in a less structured manner, is preferable or healthier. This belief can be particularly harmful for someone in recovery, potentially triggering a regression into old habits of restriction or chaotic eating. Furthermore, without the structure of regular meals, individuals may find it more difficult to reconnect with their genuine hunger and satiety cues, an essential part of recovery.

Therefore, while such eating trends may work for some, they can be a step to relapse for others. It is crucial to recognize the individuality of recovery and prioritize what supports one's unique healing journey over current dietary trends.

The importance of creating a healthy social media feed

Curating a healthy social media feed is of utmost importance in the digital age. What we consume on social media can significantly impact our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, including our relationship with food and our bodies. A feed inundated with content promoting unrealistic beauty standards, restrictive diets, or harmful exercise routines can foster body dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors. Conversely, a feed filled with body-positive messages, diverse body representations, and facts about intuitive eating can empower individuals to embrace their unique bodies, challenge diet culture, and nurture a healthier relationship with food. Actively choosing to follow accounts that encourage self-love, body acceptance, and balanced nutrition can foster better mental health and promote overall wellbeing.

If this trend has become a trigger for you, there is a way to filter them out of your feed. The next time a video with #girldinner pops up on your For Your Page, tap and hold the video. Click ‘Not interested’ in the menu that pops up on your screen. When you get to the screen that says ‘We’ll show fewer videos like this’ click ‘Details.’ From here, go to ‘Filter hashtags’ and tap the #girldinner hashtag you no longer want to see.

Getting support for disordered eating

Working with an eating disorder dietitian can be a pivotal step in establishing a healthy relationship with food and one's body. Dietitians possess specialized knowledge in both nutrition and the complexities of eating disorders, using this expertise to help clients reconnect with their innate hunger and fullness cues. By encouraging a more intuitive approach to eating, dietitians assist individuals in breaking free from the cycles of disordered eating and moving towards a more balanced, sustainable way of nourishing their bodies.

The dietitian's role also extends beyond crafting meal plans; they provide a supportive environment where clients can explore their attitudes towards food, challenge disordered eating habits, and work towards eliminating the fear and guilt often associated with eating. Collaborating with a dietitian in this process can significantly contribute to recovery, fostering a healthier and more positive relationship with food.

If you find yourself struggling with disordered eating, our team at Central Coast Treatment Center would love to help you find food freedom. To learn more about our treatment programs, https://www.centralcoasttreatmentcenter.com/contact.

Emily Costa

Having struggled with an eating disorder herself, Emily is passionate about spreading awareness, education and the possibility of recovery with others. Emily previously volunteered as a Crisis Text Line counselor and with the eating disorder non-profit Project HEAL where she served as their blog manager, their NYC Chapter Leader & a recovery mentor in their Communities of HEALing pilot program completing training by the Carolyn Costin Institute. Emily now enjoys working with various treatment centers, clinicians and non-profits in the eating disorder community providing marketing and design services. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends, hanging with her dogs, and reading a book at the beach.

Ai PonoAugust 9, 2023