“Human Kibble” Is Trending — But Here’s Why I’m Not Buying In
- Dr. K.
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
I first came across the phrase “human kibble” late at night, mid-scroll. Video after video showed people — mostly young, mostly well-meaning — eating the same exact bowl of food, every day.
Protein powder. Oats. Chia. Collagen. Psyllium husk. Some blended, some not. Just… fuel.
The name was cheeky, but the vibe wasn’t. And as I watched the meal prep videos roll in — I started asking questions. Not about the trend. About us.
The Appeal:
In a world full of overwhelm, I get why the simplicity is seductive.
Human kibble offers a clean, consistent way to nourish yourself without the daily decision fatigue. It mirrors other wellness rituals — your daily greens powder, your 10-step skincare routine, your 5 a.m. gym circuit. Predictability equals control. And for many, control feels like safety.
But Let’s Talk About the Risks:
Here’s what starts to bother me: when wellness becomes a formula, do we lose our connection to food entirely?
While the simplicity of consuming the same meal daily can be appealing, it's important to consider the potential nutritional drawbacks. Research indicates that a lack of dietary diversity may lead to micronutrient deficiencies and negatively impact gut microbiota diversity. For instance, a study in the Molecular Metabolism journal highlights that Mediterranean diets, which are rich in diverse foods, promote beneficial gut bacteria and overall health, whereas monotonous diets may not provide the same benefits.
Furthermore, reliance on ultra-processed foods, often found in convenient meal options, has been linked to adverse health outcomes. A comprehensive meta-analysis by Lane et al. (2023) found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.
So the question becomes: are we simplifying — or self-numbing?
The Emotional Cost of Eating on Autopilot:
What I miss most in these meals is any sense of life. There’s no grandma's hand, no Sunday market, no shifting with the seasons. Just math.
Food traditions across the globe — from Mexican pozole to Indian khichdi to Korean bibimbap — may seem repetitive, but they evolve. They respond to emotion, climate, care. Even if you ate them every week, they were made for you, or by you, or shared in community.
Human kibble erases that. It’s wellness by automation.
I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m just saying: if your food doesn’t make you feel, then what’s the point?
What I’m Choosing Instead:
A base recipe I love — that I can tweak.
A meal plan that leaves room for intuition.
Protein shakes, yes — but paired with real textures, flavor, and joy.
I don’t need every bite to be ceremonial. But I want my food to remind me I’m alive. Not optimized.
