Food & Meals | Grounded Guide - Basically Average

When it comes to playing Grounded it’s going to be a big priority for players to understand what resources they have at their disposal, especially if those resources are able to help provide players with passive effects or bonuses.

While players will spend a good portion of their adventures eating foods such as Roasts and Jerky, players will be able to cook themselves some great Meals using the Oven for some extra boosts

The choice of what a player eats will depend on what resources are around them and how much time a player has when it comes to gathering the required resources.

In general, there is not a single solution to keeping yourself fed and players may have differing preferences to how to stay fed simply based on what they are trying to achieve with their intake. I would strongly suggest that by the mid-to-late game players switch to only eating Meals if possible, though this will require a player to unlock said Meals by completing the discovery of BURG.L Chips and hoarding resources.

The following guide will take you through the various types of Food, Snacks and Meals in Grounded so you can make an educated decision of what resources to feed yourself, especially if you are heading into a challenging area for you.

Note: If you want to watch me play games like Grounded on Twitch head on over here! I’m always happy to answer your questions there as well!

SNACKS

Snacks tend to be the worst way to keep a player fed, providing players with the least amount of Hunger and Thirst, though Snacks are the best way to keep a player fed and watered in the early game.

I will say, when players are lazy they can rely on Snacks to feed them throughout their gameplay, especially if they don’t want to waste resources, however, whenever players need a chunk of Hunger or Thirst quickly, they are not going to be as reliable.

The lucky thing about Snacks is the fact that they never expire, meaning that players can hoard a bunch for when they really need them, though the choice to use them is going to heavily depend on whether or not a player thinks they are going to use these items in the future in a recipe.

ROTTEN FOOD

Rotten Food is a very common resources that players will collect when they are in the Trash Heap Biome and when Meats spoil.

While players are able to eat them, they are not helpful in anyway as they will not provide the player with any Hunger and instead will simply make the player Sick.

Players will only want to use Rotten Food to fertilize Garden Patches in order to reduce the time it takes for players to obtain the resources they plant.

MUSHROOM

Mushrooms are by far the most important Snack in my opinion as they can be found all over the world and respawn regularly.

While Mushrooms only feed a player by 7.5%, players can hoard a number of these on their inventory during their travel and should not be worried about dropping a stack of them on the floor or quickly eating them all if they need extra inventory space.

Mushrooms, to me, were a very big staple to my diet, essentially carrying me until I was ready to eat a Meal or have to dive into eating another food, though it does come at the cost of taking up a good portion of your inventory space.

Players can combat the inventory issue by using Milk Molars to increase the stack size of their Consumables. While this won’t completely fix the problem it is a good solution to inventory problems.

I will write a longer guide about how I work with my Milk Molars.

MUSCLE SPROUT

Muscle Sprouts should never be used as edibles, not only because they reduce a player’s Health by 20%, but also because they are used for Smoothie Bases, and a pretty good one at that.

Players will gain only 10% Hunger with Muscle Sprouts, which is admittedly a bit more than a Mushroom, but due to the “rarity” of this resource, which is only found in the Pond Lab, players are going to want to make sure that they only utilize this resource in the most effective manner.

ALGAE

Algae is fairly easy to come by, being related to the Mushroom of the Pond, though I would say that players should save this resource if they can in order to use it in Meals.

If players are in a pinch and are exploring the Pond Lab for example, they can eat the Algae to gain back 10% Hunger with no penalties.

NECTAR

Nectar isn’t a resource that players come by often, only being located in the Flower Bed or in the Beehive after Bees have collected enough of it.

Admittedly, I would recommend players save this resource for Meals like the Spider Slider, though due to it’s current one use, there is no real major downfall to consuming it when you’re in need of both Hunger and Thirst.

Players will gain back 10% Hydration/Thirst and will also gain 10% Hunger.

APHID HONEYDEW

I’d say Aphid Honeydew is the better resource to “waste” when it comes to resources like Nectar.

Similar to Nectar it provides players with 10% Hydration/Thirst and 10% Hunger, though players will also receive 5% Health back with this as well.

Aphid Honeydew is pretty easy to come by as Aphids will poop it all over the world and if players have trained an Aphid Pet, they will be able to stockpile this resource in hopes of replacing Mushrooms.

Aphid Honeydew is honestly a looked past resource, but it’s by far the best in this category.

ACORN BITS

Acorn Bits are very easy to come by, especially if players are basing near the Oak Tree.

While I would tell players to stockpile this resource as it is used in multiple Meals and Smoothies, the reality is that it is so easy to obtain Acorn Bits, making it a bit of a mute point.

I would say, if you’re in a pinch, start munching as Acorn Bits provide players with 10% Hunger, but if you’ve got other foods on you (in particular Mushrooms) stockpile the Acorn Bits.

I wouldn’t waste the Acorn Bits though, I’d just throw them into a chest, versus Mushrooms which you can always grow.

MINT SHARD

I truly think it’s a terrible idea to eat Mint Shards, unless you are working towards getting your Mutation from them.

While Mint Shards provide players with 20% Hunger, the reality is that players are going to need a massive amount of them if they hope to provide their Weapons with Minty Elemental Damage.

We noticed that by the late-game we didn’t stockpile enough, especially with the newest update that made it harder to actually enhance your Weapons and Tools, so try to refrain as much as possible from doing so.

SPICY SHARD

I also truly think it’s a terrible idea to eat Spicy Shards.

Spicy Shards also provide players with 20% Hunger, but the same reality is that players are going to need a massive amount of them if they hope to provide their Weapons with Spicy Elemental Damage.

GRANOLA BAR

Granola Bars are often found in the Ominent bases and labs and are extremely helpful for players in these situations.

The reality is that there is a finite amount of Granola Bars and they do not respawn, but they do provide players with 20% Hunger and 10% Health, so it’s always a good idea to try to save these for boss battles as they can really help carry you.

If you can avoid using Granola Bars at first, it is advisable simply because of how quick it is to munch of them in tough situations, however, there are plenty of ways to heal, so don’t be upset if you’ve already eaten them all because you’ll be okay.

APPLE BITS

Apple Bits can be found all over the world and are considered to be one of the best Snacks to eat.

While Apple Bits provide players with 25% Hunger, I would strongly recommend that players don’t regularly munch of these as they are used for a decent Smoothie.

Now, depending on how often a player looks for Human Food, they may be able to build a massive stockpile of this resource making it worth eating as a Snack, however, the amount of healing a Smoothie can provide is more of a perk.

BILLY HOG NUGGET

Billy Hog Nuggets can also be found all over the world and are considered to be one of the best Snacks to eat.

Billy Hog Nuggets provide players with 25% Hunger, I would strongly recommend that players don’t regularly munch of these as they are used for a decent Smoothie.

CANDY CORNLET

Candy Cornlets are the only Human Food that players will want to eat no matter what as they are not used in a Smoothie or another recipe.

Players will also receive 25% Hunger so if they are hungry, start munching!

COOKIE SANDWICH BITS

Cookie Sandwich Bits can also be found all over the world and are considered to be one of the best Snacks to eat.

Cookie Sandwich Bits provide players with 25% Hunger, I would strongly recommend that players don’t regularly munch of these as they are used for a decent Smoothie.

RAW CREATURE MEAT

Raw Creature Meats are a resource that I strongly recommend that players do not eat, unless they are very early in the game and have nothing else to eat.

All Raw Creature Meats will take a player’s health and should be cooked, although Water Flea Meat doesn’t have this negative.

I would still strongly recommend that players Cook all of their Raw Meat as this will provide them with more Hunger and ensure that they are never penalized, though the following are all the stats players gain and lose for each Raw Meat:

RAW APHID MEAT

Raw Aphid Meat provides players with 10% Hunger while decreasing a player’s Health by –33%.

I strongly recommend that players choose to eat Mushrooms over Raw Aphid Meat as there should always be plenty of Mushrooms around a player. Though, if players are in a pinch and are not in any immediate danger, they can eat these.

Aphids are all over the world and tend to be the easiest Meat to find.

It should be noted that Raw Aphid Meat is used in such a variety of resources including Smoothies, so players in the mid-to-late game may not even want to Cook them or make them into Jerky if they are using Boost Juice as their main source of healing.

RAW GNAT MEAT

Raw Gnat Meat provides players with 10% Hunger while decreasing a player’s Health by –33%.

Gnats don’t really get used for other big sources of recipes, so payers will have the option to turn them into Jerky to ensure that they never spoil. In my opinion, this is the best use for Raw Gnat Meat.

RAW GRUB MEAT

Raw Grub Meat provides players with 10% Hunger while decreasing a player’s Health by –33%.

Grubs don’t really get used for other big sources of recipes, so payers will have the option to turn them into Jerky to ensure that they never spoil. In my opinion, this is the best use for Raw Grub Meat.

RAW TADPOLE MEAT

Raw Tadpole Meat works a bit differently than the other Raw Meats as it provides players with 10% Hunger while decreasing a player’s Health by –33%, but it also provides players with 10% Thirst/Hydration.

Still, I would choose to either make these into Roasts or Jerky to avoid the penalty, but if players are parched, this may be a bit of a solution.

RAW WEEVIL MEAT

Raw Weevil Meat provides players with 10% Hunger while decreasing a player’s Health by –33%.

Weevils are all over the world and tend to be the second easiest Meat to find.

While Weevils can be used for a some other resources, they aren’t the best and Weevils can simply be used for Jerky or Roasts to keep a player full without penalties.

WATER FLEA MEAT

As mentioned, Water Flea Meat doesn’t come with any negative side effects and simply provides players with 10% Thirst and 10% Hunger.

Out of all the Meats mentioned above, Water Flea Meat is the most useful and is the only one I would recommend players eating regularly, though players should note that they will be able to make a Smoothie that helps them swim if they save it.

If you’re not in need of Swimming Smoothies, cook these bad boys up if you need extra Hunger or turn them into Jerky for long term foods.

The choice is yours, but all options are find in this case.

COOKED CREATURE MEAT

Players will be able to make the following Meats by cooking them on the Roasting Spit. All will provide players with 50% Hunger:

Aphid Roast

Cooked Tadpole Meat

Gnat Roast

Grub Roast

Water Flea Roast

Weevil Roast

It should be noted, that while Roasts are very good for filling a player, they do expire and they do not stack, so they may not be the best option for players in the long run.

JERKY

Jerky is the other way to provide players with Hunger, though unlike Roasts they can stack and they never expire.

The trade off is that players will only receive 20% Hunger from Jerky. As much as I hate the fact that Jerky provide s players with less Hunger, I typically go on a day trip to get as much Raw Meat as possible to stockpile on Jerky for long adventures. For me, this makes survival a lot more managable.

Players will be able to make the following Jerky:

Aphid Jerky

Gnat Jerky

Grub Jerky

Tadpole Jerky

Water Flea Jerky

Weevil Jerky

SPOILED MEAT

Spoiled Meat should never be eaten and should only be used for Garden Patches.

Players should try their hardest not to allow Meat to spoil and should try to build a Jerky Rack (or in our case 10) as soon as possible to ensure that they can make Raw Meats into Jerky as soon as possible.

Admittedly, players can also use spoiled meat to fertilize Garden Plots, though I will say… fertilizer isn’t important and the Gardening System is kinda… eh.

MEALS MADE IN THE OVEN

Meals are going to be a big priority for players to utilize as they provide players with a good amount of effects that can really help change gameplay.

I will say, when I first stumbled upon Meals I thought that they were like Jerky and never expired, though this is not true by any means.

Players will be speeding against the clock whenever they make a Meal, albeit taking some time to expire.

I would strongly recommend players cook their Meals right before they explore as many of the ingredients used in the best meals don’t expire otherwise.

Players will have to unlock meals by using BURG.Ls Tech Chip Swap Shop and as I’ve already covered how to unlock these Meals, I’m not going to mention it in this post.

GNATCHOS

Gnatchos will provide players with Fall Defense and will make sure players are Well Fed.

For me, I only care about being fed with Gnatchos, but I typically do not use them.

Players will need the following ingredients to make Gnatchos:

1 Gnat Jerky

2 Acorn Bits

2 Grub Goop

MITELOAF

Miteloaf is a decent Meal to have in the early game as it provide s players with some Attack Stamina. While I admittedly don’t use it often, it was a good way to get my hunger up and make sure that I could deal more damage when I was spamming attacks it definitely falls off when you have better Weapons.

Players will need the following ingredients to make Miteloaf:

4 Mite Fuzz

2 Mushrooms

1 Aphid Jerky

Admittedly, due to it’s ingredients, players can use this any time as they are very accessible and players will most likely always have them on hand.

LARVAGNA

Larvagna is a great Meal that players can have and while it’s not the most over powered, even in the late game it can feel helpful.

Larvagna provides players with Critical Hit, allowing them to deal a bit more damage.

Players will need the following ingredients to make Larvagna:

3 Larva Spike

1 Fresh Billy Hog Nugget

2 Grub Goop

Due to the ease of obtaining these ingredients, Larvagna is honestly a decent Meal to eat in the mornings, even when gathering as Critical Hit may fell blades of Grass, bust Rocks or cut Weed Stems faster.

BOATMAN FIN SOUP

The Boatman Fin Soup is a Meal that players will want to eat before they acquire Tier 2 swimming equipment.

I wouldn’t say that it is necessary in the late-game, but if players are scrambling underwater while trying to get resources the extra Swim Speed it will provide may save a player.

Players will need the following ingredients for Boatman Fin Soup:

3 Water Boatman Fins

2 Mushrooms

4 Algae

Admittedly, Boatman Fin Soup is pretty costly and I’m not a huge fan of it, so I tend to avoid it if I can.

OMELANT

Omelants are one of my favourite foods simply because it provides players with Thorns.

Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan that Omelants use Salt Shards, because they can be difficult to stockpile and Black Ant Eggs can feel frustrating to locate and collect.

Omelants feel situational for me, and I tend to use them only in boss battles, but the choice is up to the player.

Players will need the following ingredients to make an Omelant:

1 Black Ant Egg

2 Salt Shards

4 Algae

FUNGUSPACHO

Funguspacho is one of the better Meals to eat if players want Attack Stamina.

Admittedly, for us, Funguspacho is very easy to make as we spend a good amount of time in the Haze, however, for players who are afraid of the Haze it might not feel as accessible.

I would strongly recommend using Funguspacho over Miteloaf if it’s possible and would have it as a Meal you eat every day, as long as you are battling.

Players will need the following ingredients:

4 Fungal Growth

2 Mushroom Chunks

2 Toadstool Chunks

If players are struggling to upkeep their Mushroom and Toadstool Chunks, I strongly recommend growing them in your Garden Patch.

MAC N BEES

Mac N Bees, for me, is pretty useless. I’m personally not a fan of killing Bees as they can be frustrating to deal with and realistically… I don’t care about Fall Defense. Admittedly, there are plenty of situations where I have fallen to my death because I refused to use Fall Defense, but… I’m lazy!

Mac N Bees requires the following ingredients:

3 Bee Fuzz

4 Acorn Bits

3 Pollen

SPIDER SLIDER

Spider Sliders are the better way to obtain more Critical Hit Chance, though I will say that they are a bit costly.

I have to say that many of the resources, other than Nectar, I use in other resources, however, I can’t deny how much I love having Critical Hit Chance.

I would never use Spider Sliders for resource collecting as it is so costly, however, if I’m about to enter a tough battle, I do use it.

Players will need the following ingredients to make a Spider Slider:

4 Spider Chunks

5 Nectar

2 Berry Chunks

TERMITE DELIGHT

Termite Delight as perfect for players who are ready to do a lot of resource farming as it will improve your Rock and Grass Harvest Speed.

Admittedly, Termite Delight is a bit difficult to farm, ingredients for, but I feel like it’s mostly because players need to be in the newest area of the world.

We don’t have a whole lot of these resources currently, but I can see us having chests filled with them soon.

Players will need the following ingredients for Termite Delight:

4 Termite Parts

2 Dust Mite Fuzz

2 Bug Gloop

BLACK OX BURGER

I’m in love with the Black Ox Burger, although it means fighting one of the toughest mobs the Black Ox.

Admittedly, we have had a good amount of “bad drops” from the Black Ox, so we’ve farmed a good amount of these, but the benefit is that we can make a good amount of Black Ox Burgers which provide Max Health and Damage Resist.

With a Black Ox Burger, players will be able to farm the majority of creatures and bosses repeatedly as this greatly helps players with armour that is already good.

Players will need the following ingredients for Black Ox Burgers:

4 Black Ox Parts

2 Pupa Leather

5 Bug Gloop

QUESADILLIANTLION

I have to say, I’m not the biggest fan of the ingredients for the Quesadilliantlion, but as I mentioned… I’m a big fan of Thorns.

I prefer to use the lesser Thorns though as I don’t often need extra Sizzle since I use Fresh Defense as my Mutation regularly to avoid Sizzling to death.

My biggest issue is the Shards it uses, as I like to use my shards on Arrows, though the choice is going to be up to a player.

Players will receive both Sizzle Protection and Thorns when they eat a Quesadilliantlion.

Players need the following ingredients for the Quesadilliantlion:

3 Antlion Parts

6 Salt Shards

2 Spicy Shards

CONCLUSION

While there are many foods that a player can eat in order to keep them alive, the choice of food is highly going to depend on what a player is up to and if they need any bonus effects.

In my opinion, it would be ideal to be able to make a Meal every day that corresponds to the tasks you’re going to do, however, I seem to rely on Smoothies more often as my husband helps stockpile them for us.

Smoothies tend to be more useful as well as they heal you, though they do not give you Hunger.

Typically, even in the late game, you can find me snacking on Mushrooms, though my main source of “adventure food” tends to be Jerky.

Though I’m curious, what is the way that you like to keep yourself fed in Grounded. Do you find that some of the Meals are too costly so you avoid them altogether? Let me know in the comments below!