‘Boy kibble’ TikTok trend has ground beef rice bowls going viral on social media

As grocery prices push customers toward simpler, budget-friendly meals, a TikTok trend called “boy kibble” is gaining popularity.

While the 2023 “girl food” trend is all about snack-like charcuterie plates, “boy kibble” offers simple, no-frills bowls with two ingredients: white rice and ground meat, with optional spices and veggies.

While the cheeky name is a reference to the ingredients in dog food (mostly rice and beef), advocates insist it tastes better.

“I love this so much,” one TikToker wrote on a video of her own meat and rice bowl.

“Give me a plate,” another commenter said.

Bodybuilder Christian Miles, who lives in Columbia, Missouri, told Fox News Digital that he eats ground beef and rice about seven times a week.

“This is one of the five meals I eat every day,” said Miles, who shares on TikTok under the name @thequadfather03.

“Boy food” has many appealing factors, including affordability, simplicity and ease of meal preparation, Miles said.

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“This is a very simple dish that can be cooked in under 30 minutes and prepped for days,” Miles said.

“I personally prepare a large batch of beef and rice and portion it out days in advance. This makes my days much more productive.”

“The beauty of this dish is that it is versatile and can adapt to anyone’s fitness goals.”

The athlete said the meal helps support her fitness goals, especially as a college student.

“I can’t afford high-quality red meat like steak,” Miles said.

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“Minced meat is one of the most affordable meat sources, and rice is also very cheap.”

But Miles added that it doesn’t have to be just mincemeat — and the key is to find what works for each individual and then “rinse and repeat.”

Christian Miles, a college student, said ground beef and rice helped him stay on budget while meeting his fitness goals. (Christian Miles/@thequadfather03 via TikTok)

“If ground meat isn’t your thing, you can also make other meats like steak or chicken. [and] ground turkey,” he said.

“The beauty of this dish is that it is versatile and can adapt to anyone’s fitness goals.”

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Amy Goodson, a registered dietitian in Dallas, said the trend is an example of how a balanced meal can be both practical and appealing.

“This viral bowl is a great example of how a balanced meal can be delicious, nutrient-dense, easy and trendy,” she said.

Dietitians recommend adding vegetables or using brown rice to further increase nutritional value. (iStock)

“With high-quality protein from lean beef, fiber and essential nutrients from vegetables, and carbohydrates from rice, it meets all the needs for a satisfying, muscle-supporting meal.”

Goodson suggested adding extra veggies or substituting brown rice to “further boost the nutritional value.”

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“In addition, beef provides 10 essential nutrients, including iron, zinc and B vitamins,” he added.

“If you eat this at every meal, you’ll likely end up with some nutrient deficiencies and possibly high blood sugar and high cholesterol in the long run.”

“A good rule of thumb for those who are active is 0.75 or 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body mass.”

Diversity is needed

Illinois-based doctor Stacie Stephenson warns that relying too much on diet can lead to unintended consequences.

“If you eat this at every meal, you’re likely going to end up with some nutritional deficiencies and possibly high blood sugar and high cholesterol in the long run,” he said.

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“But if you include a variety of vegetables, replace white rice with something whole grain, and frequently replace ground beef with lower-fat varieties, you can probably live with it.”

Vegetables are essential for their added fiber and polyphenols, which are crucial for a healthy microbiome, Stephenson said.

Ground meat remains one of the most affordable sources of protein, making this trend accessible to many people. Experts strongly recommend adding variety to the dish, including vegetables. (iStock)

“Even if you add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables or a handful of baby spinach, you’ll have a much better meal than just beef and white rice,” he advised.

The doctor also recommended replacing white rice with brown rice or quinoa, or using ground turkey, ground chicken, or canned salmon instead of beef; These were all easy trades.

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“Each of these upgrades is easy, doesn’t require much time or effort, and will leave you feeling better, healthier, and more energetic than a bowl of pure starches and saturated fat,” she said.

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