Forget Dinner: 6 Ways to Enjoy Mealish Snacks

Let’s be real—dinner can feel like a never-ending cycle, can’t it? It seems to roll around almost every single day! There I am, standing in front of the fridge or rummaging through the pantry, scratching my head as the clock ticks away. The kids float in and out of the kitchen, stomachs growling, casting hopeful looks at the empty table.

“What’s for dinner?” one of them will ask cheerfully, and I’ll respond, half-jokingly, “You tell me.” They’ll offer me sympathetic pats on the back, asking if I need help, before either lending a hand or sneaking away while I crack open a cold drink to spark some creativity. Most nights, I find myself staring at the same collection of pantry staples—onions, grains, canned beans, and a mountain of condiments—trying to conjure a real meal from thin air.

But sometimes? I just don’t. Let me take you back to a moment with my son’s fourth-grade teacher. I was fretting over the signup sheet for their end-of-unit Chinese Feast, worried that there were still so many empty slots. “I could whip up the tofu with black bean sauce,” I said, even though I was already on the hook for the noodles. This teacher looked at me calmly and said, “I’m not concerned. We are well-fed people.”

And that, my friends, has become my mantra. We are well-fed people. It’s a privilege we should embrace. Not every meal needs to be a high-stakes event; there’s plenty of room for flexibility, and it’s perfectly fine if dinner doesn’t fit the typical mold. You can still gather as a family, even if it’s at the coffee table in the living room. Trust me, your kids will be much happier snacking and chatting like they’re at a party than facing a hefty plate of something they only somewhat enjoy. Here are some fun alternatives to a traditional dinner:

1. Smoothies and Popcorn

A simple, breezy option. Or, take a stroll to your favorite frozen yogurt spot for a treat!

2. Dips and Dippers

This is a go-to in our house. Pair raw veggies and whole-grain crackers with a vibrant green dip, a creamy beet-and-walnut spread, or classic hummus for a tasty coffee-table feast.

3. Cheese Fondue

If you can grate cheese (or buy it pre-grated), you’re already halfway there! Serve it with whole-wheat bread and call some clementines your ‘vegetable.’

4. A Big Salad

Bring a platter of colorful salad to the coffee table with a few forks and dig in together. Toss in some chickpea croutons for an extra protein boost.

5. Deviled Eggs

Turn your kitchen into a picnic area and serve these delicious bites as picnic food.

6. Cheese and Crackers

We refer to this as our “bread board” dinner, and yes, we even have the boards to make it official!

Why not give this no-dinner approach a shot? It might just become your family’s new favorite way to eat. And if anyone is still hungry later, that’s why cereal was invented!

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In summary, let’s embrace the idea that meals don’t always have to fit the norm. There are plenty of creative ways to enjoy food together without the stress of a traditional dinner.