Recently, after a long day of sending emails, I made a weekend meal: brown rice, ground turkey and half an avocado, all slathered in hot sauce. As I ate my dinner on the couch, my husband looked at my bag and said, “Who wants a boy?”
It turns out he didn’t just make a rude comment about my slip. On social media, health-conscious Gen Z men have started using the term to describe quick and easy meals: ground beef, rice, and sometimes vegetables or oil. The brown, luscious concoction is praised by gym-goers as an easy and relatively inexpensive way to get carbohydrates and protein to maximize their workout gains.
Like my sweet younger brothers, I also enjoy lifting heavy weights. My body needs fuel to build strength, muscles and glutes so big and powerful they can lift a small satellite off its axis of gravity. And if you think comparing my food to dog kibble would offend me, well, the joke’s on you! Because dogs are adorable, and I would proudly compare them to a loyal wolf or a nice chihuahua.
But what do experts think about this trend? And is Guy Cable really healthy?
What is a guy cable?
In the narrowest meme sense: ground beef and white rice.
But most kibble bros (kib-bros?) have a broad definition: any combination of grains, ground protein, and vegetables can be considered kibble.
How healthy is Guy Cabbage?
The name may be new, but this type of diet isn’t, says Jim White, a registered dietitian nutritionist, exercise physiologist and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studio.
“It’s basically old-school bodybuilding nutrition,” he says. “Nutritionists have long advised people to fuel up with carbs and protein after a workout. The difference now,” White says, “is targeting and oversimplification.”
Scott Keatley, a registered dietitian and owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, says kibble can be a nutritious food choice when it balances protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber. “When these ingredients are available in the right amount, they can support basic health needs, energy levels and training demands,” he says.
Simple meal structures can be helpful for many people, especially those who are neurodivergent and struggle with executive function, says Abby Sharp, registered dietitian and author of The Hunger Crushing Combo Method. “Healthy food doesn’t have to be fancy!” she says
What are the disadvantages of boy cable?
White and Keatley warn that the simplest version of meat and rice relies too much on protein and refined carbohydrates, and overlooks the diversity of fiber and micronutrients. As such, it should not be eaten more than once a day, “with the rest of the meal providing a wide range of meals to support overall nutrient intake”.
Sharpe also says the diet trend may be a slippery slope for those with a history of disordered eating.
Related: Is it true that… most of us don’t get enough protein?
“Eating the same thing every day can create fear about what might happen if you deviate from your perfectly calculated macro package,” she says. If you find yourself worrying about changes in your routine, or feeling intimidated by added sauces, oils or “untracked” foods (that is, meals you haven’t planned in a tracking app), “that’s a red flag that your carb habit is messed up,” says Sharp.
Sharpe also pushes against gendered eating tropes that are reinforced by trends like boy cable and girl lunches, such as the idea that men need big, meaty meals, while women only need tasty snack foods.
“Gendered food expectations take away from our ability to nourish ourselves and in ways that uniquely serve us,” says Sharp.
What are good alternatives to guy cable?
The main criticism from experts with Guy Cable seems to be that there are many other cheaper, tastier options for people trying to build muscle.
Non-carb foods include:
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Salmon with rice and vegetables
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Greek yogurt with fruit and granola
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Eggs with whole grain toast and avocado
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Eat with tofu, vegetables, buckwheat noodles, and potatoes with nuts and seeds
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The whole grain wrap is filled with black beans, guacamole, veggies, cheese and salsa
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Whole Grain Pasta Turkey Meatballs, Zucchini Spirals, Olives, Parmesan Cheese and Tomato Sauce
“Simple food structure can be beneficial,” Keatley says. “But it works best when it’s part of a broader pattern that includes species over the course of a day or week.”
So enjoy your guy cable, but don’t overdo it. to wear
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