Every summer, the "Big Brother" house witnesses contestants facing a unique punishment: being forced to consume a food substance known as slop. This dietary restriction has been a staple for longtime viewers since its debut in the first "All-Stars" version in 2006. Before slop, houseguests faced the less mysterious, more edible fate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So, what exactly is slop? What are its ingredients and rules? And, perhaps most importantly, what does it taste like?
What is Slop?
Think of "Big Brother" slop as the reality TV equivalent of the gruel eaten in "The Matrix"-a substance designed to provide all the necessary vitamins, nutrients, and minerals a human requires to survive. The aim is to prevent contestants from becoming malnourished during their time in the house.
Slop Ingredients
In 2019, "Big Brother" officially revealed the ingredients of slop. They include:
- Oats
- Water
- Unflavored whey protein
- Unflavored soy protein
- Vitamin and mineral powder
While slop may resemble pale-colored oatmeal, its texture is dry, and its taste is often described as repulsive. Many houseguests prefer to go hungry rather than consume this vomitous mush.
Taste and Texture
Despite its unappetizing reputation, "Big Brother" host Julie Chen Moonves has tried slop and found it "not bad" at all. In a 2018 interview, she described it as "like very dry oatmeal" with "not a lot of flavor" and a slightly gummy texture. However, the general consensus among houseguests is far less favorable. The addition of supplement powders contributes an odd metallic taste and a sludgy texture.
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Rules and Restrictions
Not every contestant on "Big Brother" has to endure slop. It is primarily a punishment for those who perform poorly in challenges. For instance, after losing the Head of Household competition in the Season 22 premiere, Ian Terry, Nicole Anthony, Kevin Campbell, and Memphis Garrett became Have-Nots for the week, subjecting them to slop, cold showers, and an uncomfortable bedroom.
Occasionally, a houseguest may receive a Slop Pass, allowing them to avoid the gritty substance for a specified period, sometimes for the entire summer.
Houseguests can prepare this product any way they like, as long as they don’t add other foods to it. They may, however, use condiments, as long as they come from an approved list.
Health Concerns
In "Big Brother" Season 9, Amanda Hansen, a diabetic contestant, fainted from low blood sugar after consuming slop. She was hospitalized overnight but returned to the house in good spirits the following day. This incident highlights the potential health risks associated with the slop diet, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
The Allure of Slop
Why would anyone willingly eat slop? For losing contestants on "Big Brother," it's not a matter of choice. They may fondly recall the days of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Have-Nots. However, for those seeking an easy, no-frills oatmeal packed with essential protein, vitamins, and nutrients, making a batch of Big Brother Slop could be an option. The advantage outside the "Big Brother" house is the freedom to garnish it as desired.
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Big Brother Slop Recipe
If you're curious about trying slop yourself, here's a recipe to follow:
Yields: 8 to 10 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 35 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes
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Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups steel cut oats
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons unflavored whey protein isolate
- 1/2 cup unflavored soy protein
- 4 teaspoons vitamin and mineral powder
- 12 cups water
Instructions:
- Bring 12 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
- Stir in oats and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and oats are tender.
- Remove from heat and let cool for one minute.
- Stir in the whey and soy proteins and the vitamin and mineral powder.
Making Slop Palatable
While slop may not be the most appetizing dish, there are ways to make it more palatable. Some contestants who are already oatmeal lovers are in business. The key is to experiment with approved condiments and garnishes to find a combination that suits your taste.
Historical Context
Slop was first introduced in Big Brother 7 (US) as a punishment for houseguests who lost the weekly food competition, replacing the previous punishment of exclusively eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Slop would be used in the subsequent three seasons for the same purpose. Starting with Big Brother 11 (US), slop was merged with the Have-Not punishment: each week, Have-Nots are only allowed to eat slop in addition to all other disadvantages they face.
Taste Test
Slop is little more than steel cut oatmeal fortified with protein and some kind of vitamin supplement. The steel cut oats are chewier than rolled oats and the addition of the supplement powders adds an odd metallic taste and a sludgy texture. But there's a loophole.
Executive producer Allison Grodner takes credit for changing the punishment food to this porridge. Oh, Allison! So creative! She also told TV Week that she and other producers tested it first and farted as a result. “I ate it for a meal.
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