Mukbangs are some of the most popular ASMR videos to watch on the internet. The term, which basically means an eating broadcast, first originated in Korea. Now, it’s a social media trend that shows creators eating everything from Crumbl cookies to seafood boils. There’s something utterly comforting and relatable about watching people enjoy some of your favorite cheat meals. While it’s an enjoyable pastime, fatphobia in the mukbang community is plaguing plus-size creators. 

@itsriyma

@Wingstop Flavors that pair well with butter chicken: LOUISIANA, HOT HONEY, & GARLIC PARMESAN 🔥 The lemon pepper is WAYY too salty and will ruin the cream sauce to the butter chicken by replacing the sweetness with saltiness instantly! 0/10! 😬 #wingstop #indianfood #butterchicken #foodie #mukbang #mukbangeatingshow #mukbangasmr #mukbangvideo #eatwithme #eatingshow #picklequeen #riymaeatz

♬ original sound – RIYMA

Babydumplingg, a women of color mukbanger on TikTok, often posts guilty-pleasure-themed mukbangs and generally receives positive reviews. On one of her most popular video where she eats 40 pieces of bread, four appetizers, entrees and slices of cheesecake, the comment section praises her metabolism and the food she’s eating. However, for TikTok mukbanger Riyma, the comment section is not the same.

“I could never be this hungry,” one user said on a mukbang of Riyma trying Chipotle’s new smoked brisket. “I understand why you look the way you do,” another user wrote. 

Unfortunately, even one of Riyma’s most viral videos has nothing to do with her food content, but her body. The video, which currently sits at 6.9 million views, is a response to a TikTok user’s comment, where they wrote “I gotta see your shape.” Riyma posted a response video showcasing her body, and captioned the video, “You Next.”

The Outcome

It’s no secret that most mukbangs feature big portions of fast food. According to many publications and dieticians, some mukbangs can unintentionally promote unhealthy eating habits.

“A January 2020 study that analyzed over 5,000 mukbang videos on YouTube found that those that were the unhealthiest – showing someone overeating in a shorter amount of time or eating exceedingly spicy or irritating foods that could cause discomfort or harm – were watched significantly more than the less extreme videos,” CNN reported.

If people want to start promoting healthier eating habits, then they have to first stop fat-shaming certain mukbangers. Leaving fatphobic comments under certain people’s posts won’t make you any healthier. Instead, find mukbangers you enjoy that post eating content that reflects the lifestyle you aim to live.