Seemed odd I couldn\'t find this one already asked, but here it goes!
I have an html as follows:
Try this:
$('#select-meal-type').change(function(){ var arr = $(this).val() });
Demo
$('#select-meal-type').change(function(){ var arr = $(this).val(); console.log(arr) })
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks Dessert
fiddle