History Main / BigEater

Although it's often PlayedForLaughs, serious examples and deconstructions are known to exist. For example, a Big Eater may be suffering from bulimia or overindulging as a symptom of deeper emotional problems.

Characterization wise it can also be used to fulfill the needs of many RequiredSecondaryPowers adding depth to a trait commonly dismissed as a comedic quirk and make a character's abilities more believable. Characters with a HealingFactor, SuperSpeed, or the ability to [[VoluntaryShapeshifting change shape and size]], don't have to [[NoConservationOfEnergy flout]] the [[ShapeshifterBaggage laws of physics]], they can simply explain that the extra mass and energy come from their over the top eating binges. Magic users in general can use this trope and say that they [[CastFromCalories cast from their calories]], which would explain why mages are often rather thin characters (though obese wizards aren't unheard of).

In comics and manga it's become common to make a [[TheComicallySerious Comically Serious]] character or badass a Big Eater as a way to add a humorous quirk that doesn't take away from the character's seriousness. A common justification for a female big eater is that all the fat goes straight to her [[MostCommonSuperpower breasts]]. Consequently, female characters with big boobs are often big eaters. Occasionally they have BizarreTasteInFood or are ObsessedWithFood when not eating.

See ExtremeOmnivore for when someone doesn't limit themselves to things usually considered food. If two Big Eaters are [[CookingDuel pitted against]] each other it's an EatingContest. For a villain that has this as their biggest vice (especially an obese villain), see VillainousGlutton. Players can invoke this trope in any video game where the characters have a HyperactiveMetabolism and eat food to heal their injuries. Compare ReallyFondOfSleeping, which has a similar attitude toward sleeping and also are themselves likely to be a Big Eater. Characters like this may have a DeliciousDaydream or sing an OdeToFood. Not to mention that characters like these would absolutely ''destroy'' you in an eating competition.

* In the Music/WeirdAlYankovic song "Fat", a parody of Michael Jackson's Bad, a verse of of the song explains how much of a big eater he is with lines such as "If I have one more, Pie a la mode, I'm gonna need My own zipcode" and "When you're only having seconds, I'm havin' twenty-thirds".

{{Extreme Omnivore}}s and [[PersonalityPowers people with eating related powers]] tend to be Big Eaters by default. Large characters, such as the BigFun and BoisterousBruiser, tend to be this trope. In fact, the FatComicRelief is almost always a Big Eater. However, Big Eaters who remain thin despite their habits are considered the best examples.

See ExtremeOmnivore for when someone doesn't limit themselves to things usually considered food. If two Big Eaters are [[CookingDuel pitted against]] each other it's an EatingContest. For a villain that has this as their biggest vice (especially an obese villain), see VillainousGlutton. Players can invoke this trope in any video game where the characters have a HyperactiveMetabolism and eat food to heal their injuries. Characters who have this kind of metabolism paired with such an appetite often NeverGetsFat. Compare ReallyFondOfSleeping, which has a similar attitude toward sleeping and also are themselves likely to be a Big Eater. Characters like this may have a DeliciousDaydream or sing an OdeToFood. Not to mention that characters like these would absolutely ''destroy'' you in an eating competition.

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* ''WebAnimation/EtraChanSawIt'': Yuzuriha's overweight brother in-law Hiiragi steals a lot of food from her fridge, he even stole the birthday cake that Yuzuriha made for Tsutsuji's son Katsura, leading her to plan [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT-bzF7qVeY something]] against him.
* Nora in ''WebAnimation/RWBYChibi'' can eat a whole cake in one go, and devour stacks of pancakes and still be hungry for more. If she eats too much, she gets a BalloonBelly, but it goes away when she burps. Yang is jealous. It's presumably because she really ''does'' have a HyperactiveMetabolism- the ''warm-up'' to her workout is enough to leave the others exhausted, so she probably needs to eat so much just to stay on her feet.
[[/folder]]

* The chefs from ''WebVideo/EpicMealTime''

** The Atog creature type are a race of these. The [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Atog original]] ate artifacts, but subsequent Atogs ate things such as [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Auratog enchantments]], [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Necratog dead creatures]], [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Atogatog other Atogs]], and ''[[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chronatog time]]''.

* The Emperor in ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'' is a real glutton, given the art of [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Tyrant%27s_Tummyache Tyrant's Tummyache]].

TruthInTelevision, though without proper exercise it can lead to obesity. People with higher metabolisms are better able to avoid weight problems caused by overeating and teenagers are known for being able to eat amounts of food that will make them fat if they continue to eat like that in their 20s and beyond. Vegetarians can come off as this - because vegetable matter doesn't contain a lot of calories, so they often have to eat larger portions of food in order to get enough calories. Most wild animals need to be this because they usually have no idea when or where their next meal will be, especially in harsh environments like deserts or the arctic.

TruthInTelevision, though without proper exercise it can lead to obesity. People with higher metabolisms are better able to avoid weight problems caused by overeating and teenagers are known for being able to eat amounts of food that will make them fat if they continue to eat like that in their 20s and beyond. Vegetarians can come off as this - because vegetable matter doesn't contain a lot of calories. Most wild animals need to be this because they usually have no idea when or where their next meal will be, especially in harsh environments like deserts or the arctic.

!!Example Subpages:

* BigEater/WebComics

!!Other Examples:

[[caption-width-right:350:This is just the appetizer!]]

* Like Creator/DougWalker in the RealLife example down below, WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic seems to live off booze, cereal and junk food but never gets spots or looks fat.

* Totobory of ''Animation/NoonboryAndTheSuper7'' loves food (particularly honey) the most of the Super Sensors. After all, he ''is'' the Super Sensor of taste.

* ''Series/BetweenTheLions'' The entire lion family when it comes to eating meat.

* In the Music/WeirdAlYankovic parody song "Fat", a parody of Michael jackson's Bad, part of the song explains how much of a big eater he is with lines such as "If I have one more, Pie a la mode, I'm gonna need My own zipcode" and "When you're only having seconds, I'm havin' twenty-thirds".

Don't interrupt a Big Eater's meal, or worse, [[LostFoodGrievance try to steal his or her food]], as this is a [[BerserkButton very good way to piss the character off]]...