Ateriaruoka

Ateriaruoka is a Finnish neologism formed by combining ateria (meal) and ruoka (food). The term is not part of standard dictionaries and is not a formal culinary category. In informal Finnish, ateriaruoka is used to describe a dish that is intended to function as a complete meal, typically containing elements such as protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, and seasoning in a single item or plate.

Usage and interpretation: The expression appears mainly in online discourse—food blogs, social media posts, and discussion forums—where it is associated with convenient, self-contained meals and meal-prep ideas. Its meaning is not fixed; some writers treat it as a recipe label for a balanced, all-in-one dish, while others use it descriptively to denote any one-dish option that aims to cover daily nutritional needs.

Examples and typical forms: A common ateriaruoka is a plated dish that combines multiple food groups, such as roasted chicken with quinoa and vegetables, or a hearty lentil stew served with rice. The concept also appears in ready-meal branding and in home cooking guidance that encourages nutritionally complete meals in a single serving.

See also: Ateria, Ruoka, Annos, Meal-prep. Notes: The term remains informal and context-dependent, with meaning varying by speaker.