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Many parents know the struggle of getting their children to eat healthy. With so many processed, sugary, or otherwise unhealthy treats out there to tempt even the most disciplined of diets, it can be difficult to get kids to eat what they should. Especially their vegetables.
A trend on TikTok is providing new inspiration for parents and other caretakers to tackle this problem. Called “dinosaur time,” this trend takes families back to the Jurassic period and encourages children to enjoy their veggies as if they were dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts of the time. No fancy preparations or elaborate meals here – just raw veggies and pure imagination. It’s fun, it’s whimsical, and it works.
The best part? It’s not just for kids. Many online creators are hopping on the trend as a fun way to enjoy their vegetables.
Eating healthy is for everyone, and this trend makes it that much easier – and enjoyable – to get the veggies we need.
Let’s turn back the clocks and break down the dinosaur time TikTok trend.
What is ‘Dinosaur Time?’
@sahmthingsup I’ve been going strong on dinosaur time for about a week now as a supplement to my normal lunches and I feel pretty good. So maybe try it out #greens #healthy #healthyliving #healthyrecipes #healthylifestyle #fyp #dinosaur #dinosaurtime #Fitness #fitnesstips #nutrition #nutritiontips #macros
TikTok user @sahmthingsup took social media by storm with what she called a “lazy girl” food hack for eating more greens. In the video – which has since garnered millions of views – the TikToker laments the difficulties of eating healthy before demonstrating her simple solution: shoving giant handfuls of spinach directly into her mouth.
The response from her audience was immediate and enthusiastic.
Comments praised the newly named “dinosaur time” as a way to eat vegetables without ruining the rest of a meal. Others remarked how the strategy reduced the accumulation of dirty dishes – another boon of the challenge. One user even recommended making a dinosaur noise at the end, as a reward.
Dinosaur time has since taken off, with other TikTok users jumping on the trend with their versions of the challenge. Common among them is blasting the Jurassic Park theme song as one eats.
The variations on the trend are as wild and whimsical as the trend itself, with users across social media adopting dinosaur personas of their own to enjoy their veggies.
Interested in other TikTok trends? Here are the Top 20 Dances on TikTok.
How Does ‘Dinosaur Time’ Work?
Part of the appeal of dinosaur time is its simplicity. No need to waste time and energy preparing elaborate salads or exhaustively meal-prepping to make sure you get all your greens. Dinosaur time encourages us to do away with the meal conventions of the 21st century and chow down straight from the bag.
Popular vegetables that TikTok users are using for this trend include raw spinach, broccoli, kale, or lettuce. The goal is simple: eat something healthy, on its own, voraciously. Just like a dinosaur would.
Dinosaur time works for parents, too. It’s an opportunity to spark a child’s creativity and imagination while delivering the nutrition they need.
@queer_mom We’re definitely getting our veggies now. #dinosaurtime #vegetables #parentsoftiktok
Just like the airplane trick of old, “gamify-ing” mealtime makes the experience of eating healthy fun, exciting, and enjoyable for kids. Some parents make a race of eating their greens, while others play up their dinosaur personalities. The results are, predictably, adorable.
Dinosaur time isn’t a substitute for a true meal, as many creators posting within the challenge acknowledge. It’s a supplement to regular meal times that’s fun, goofy, and easy to do for all ages. It makes eating well and building good health habits easier for children and adults alike.
If you’ve got kids who are picky eaters, or if you feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of working veggies into your meals, dinosaur time may be just the food hack for you.
Looking for more ways to entertain your family at mealtime? Here are some TikTok pranks to try at your next family gathering.
Who’s Doing ‘Dinosaur Time?’
Inspired to try dinosaur time yourself? These creators can help give you the motivation and inspiration you need to embody your own best dinosaur.
@sahmthingsup
Widely credited as the creator of dinosaur time, TikTok user @sahmthingsup continues to chronicle her journey.
Updates on her TikTok include a dinosaur time FAQ, general life hacks while chowing down on her veggies, and dinosaur time accompanied by dinosaur facts.
@sahmthingsup Grab your greens 🥬, it’s 🦖 time! #dinosaurtime #dinosaur #getyourgreens #greens #fyp
♬ At Jurassic World’s End Credits / Suite – Michael Giacchino
This TikToker embraces the simplicity and silliness of the trend she created. Embrace your inner herbivore with her and try it yourself!
@alxandriasays
Tiktoker @alxandriasays is a mom who’s always looking for the best ways to care for her children. Part of her platform includes what she calls “good eats” content – videos about the things her toddlers will – and won’t – eat.
Needless to say, this mom is a big fan of dinosaur time.
@alxandriasays it’s dinosaur time! 🦖🦕 shout out to @sahmthingsup for showing me a way to get oliver to willingly eat an unmasked veggie!!!!! 🥦 #dinosaurtime #fyp
♬ At Jurassic World’s End Credits / Suite – Michael Giacchino
As long as there have been vegetables and kids to eat them, there have been parents who have struggled to get their kids to enjoy them. @alxandriasays is just one creator parent to put dinosaur time to good use and make eating raw vegetables that much more palatable for the whole family.
Interested in more family and home content on social media? Check out our list of the Top Family Vlogger Influencers.
In Conclusion
Sometimes, the best way to make an unpleasant task more enjoyable is to get ridiculous with it. Dinosaur time is a food hack that takes this philosophy to the max, where kids, adults, and everyone in between can eat their veggies and have fun doing it.
This viral trend has taken TikTok by storm and continues to grow. What are you waiting for? Get yourself a bag of vegetables and summon your own best prehistoric impression before your next meal. It’s dinosaur time!
Looking for other ways to boost your diet and improve your health and wellness? Look no further than our guide to the Top Wellness Influencers.
