Let’s be real: When most people hear “healthy eating,” they imagine pristine avocado toasts, kale salads with an ungodly amount of pomegranate seeds, and smoothies so photogenic they belong in a museum. But Matty Matheson? Nah, he’s here to bulldoze those picture-perfect wellness aesthetics and tell you to shove some rice and ground beef in a bowl and get on with your life. And honestly? He might be onto something.
Matty Matheson, known for his chaotic culinary energy and love of all things delicious, has embraced what he calls the “dog bowl” approach to eating: big, unpretentious, nutrition-forward meals thrown into a bowl with the delicacy of a toddler chucking their toys. And despite what Instagram’s food influencers might have you believe, dietitians are actually backing him up on this one. Because guess what? Healthy food doesn’t have to look like it came out of a Goop article.
The “Dog Bowl” Method: Chaos Meets Common Sense
If you’re expecting Matheson’s version of “clean eating” to involve sipping on chlorophyll water and sprouting your own almonds, you’re barking up the wrong tree. The dude’s not trying to sell you a diet plan or guilt you into eating chia seeds; he’s just tossing protein, carbs, and fats into a bowl and calling it a day.
His Instagram post showcasing a hefty portion of rice and ground beef—minus the artisanal microgreens or a single decorative basil leaf—comes with a blunt message: “Put down the cheese pizzas every night and make the dog bowl.” No frills. No food-styling. Just sustenance. And while some might argue that it looks more like a questionable college meal than a nutritionist-approved dish, experts say that as long as you balance the macros, it works.
The One-Bowl Phenomenon: Not Just a Matty Thing
Matheson’s not reinventing the wheel here. Many cultures have been thriving on one-bowl meals for centuries—just with a bit more finesse. Bibimbap from Korea, donburi from Japan, poke bowls from Hawaii, biryani from India—hell, even Chipotle’s burrito bowls are technically part of the one-bowl movement (though let’s be honest, no one’s calling a double-meat, extra-cheese, sour-cream-drenched monstrosity a “health food”).
The common thread? These bowls provide a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and fats, while also being stupidly easy to throw together. And yet, here in North America, we often overcomplicate nutrition. If it doesn’t involve a $15 bottle of cold-pressed juice or an unholy amount of spirulina, it somehow doesn’t “count.” Matty Matheson is here to tell you to cut the nonsense and just eat.
Nutritionists Weigh In: Simple Can Be Smart
Dietitians agree: The dog bowl approach isn’t just for people who want to cook like they’re speed-running a cooking show challenge. “Eating healthy doesn’t have to look like an elaborate meal,” says dietitian Sarah Alsing. “These bowls usually have all the macronutrients with rice as the carb, beef or chicken as the protein, and fat from the beef or oil used to cook the protein. It’s a simple meal, yet you’re getting what your body needs.”
Of course, some experts point out that Matheson’s version is a little too simple. Beef and rice? Sure, but where’s the fiber? Where’s the color? Where’s, well, literally anything that grew from the ground? Catherine Gervacio, another dietitian, recommends throwing in some non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens or broccoli, and swapping white rice for whole grains like quinoa or farro if you want a little extra nutritional bang for your buck. But ultimately, the takeaway is clear: You don’t need a Michelin-star meal to eat right.
Want to Join the Dog Bowl Revolution? Here’s How:
If you’re intrigued by Matheson’s approach but aren’t ready to commit to eating a meal that looks like it came from a post-apocalyptic bunker, here are some variations that keep the simplicity but add a little flair:
1. The Chipotle-Inspired Bowl
Rice (white, brown, or cauliflower if you’re feeling fancy)
Black beans
Shrimp, grilled chicken, or tofu
Corn, diced tomatoes, and avocado
Salsa and/or Greek yogurt for topping
2. CAVA-Style Mediterranean Bowl
Quinoa or couscous base
Roasted vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, peppers)
Chickpeas, olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and feta
Tzatziki or tahini dressing
Optional: Grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu
3. Sushi Bowl (A.K.A. Lazy Man’s Sushi)
Sushi rice with a splash of rice vinegar
Sushi-grade salmon or tuna
Strips of nori and edamame
Spicy mayo and soy sauce drizzle
4. Stir-Fry Bowl
Rice or noodles
Stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, and carrots
Protein: Grilled fish, tofu, or chicken
Sesame-ginger sauce
5. Breakfast Bowl That’s Not Just Cereal
Sweet potato hash base
Scrambled eggs
Leafy greens like spinach
Shredded cheese and avocado
Top with hot sauce or ketchup
6. Plant-Based Power Bowl
Quinoa or farro
Roasted sweet potatoes and kale
Oven-baked chickpeas
Miso dressing
Tofu or seitan for protein
7. The Cheeseburger Bowl (Because Life is About Balance)
Cubed whole-grain burger bun (or just skip it)
Sautéed ground beef (or Beyond Meat, for the plant-based folks)
Shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles
Drizzle of mustard or special sauce
The Verdict: Sometimes Ugly Food Just Works
The dog bowl method might not be the prettiest way to eat, but at the end of the day, do you really need your food to be beautiful, or do you need it to do its job? If the latter, then Matty Matheson’s philosophy is refreshingly simple: Stop overthinking it. Eat real food. Make it easy. And, for the love of all things edible, stop pretending a kale smoothie is going to fill you up.
So, would you eat a dog bowl? Maybe you already are. Either way, Matty Matheson doesn’t care. He’s too busy eating his ugly-but-nutritious bowl of rice and beef. And honestly? That sounds pretty damn good right about now.