What's a "Girl Dinner" and Why You Should Try One

Girl dinner, where women give themselves a break from cooking by preparing snack boards or other quick options, has taken social media by storm.

But are girl dinners healthy enough to stick with? We asked Samantha Oldman, MS, a bariatric surgery dietitian with Hartford HealthCare’s Digestive Health Institute, to weigh in and teach us how to build the perfect plate.

Why are girl dinners trending?

Most of the girl dinners you see on TikTok or Instagram are minimalist, snack-style meals.“Think of it as an assortment of foods that don’t require much cooking or prep,” says Oldman. “It might look like a grazing board or snack plate you’d serve to company – but on a smaller scale.”They may seem unhealthy to the untrained eye, but girl dinners do offer some benefits (when done right):

1. Convenience: Minimal prep can make a balanced meal.
2. Reduces food waste: It’s a great way to use what’s already in your fridge or pantry.
3. Honors cravings: You can eat intuitively and satisfy the cravings your body is asking for.
4. Helps portion control: A little bit of each food group keeps you satisfied without overdoing it.

“Girl dinners let you get creative with what’s already in your kitchen,” says Oldman. “Your ingredients can inspire something new—no recipe required!” Read more