John Taylor, 19, took an interest in bodybuilding and began eating everything in sight, Newcastle Crown Court was told.
But when tension rose over the rising cost of the family's shopping bill, drunken Taylor attacked his slightly-built step-fathe
r Louis Watson when he returned home after a morning at his allotment.
Mr Watson, 59, suffered a fractured eye socket and bleeding to the brain after the savage assault at his home in Eastlea, Newbiggin, on July 7.
Taylor, who is now living at Sea Crest Road, was arrested but denied carrying out the attack.
However, he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on the day his trial was due to start at Newcastle Crown Court.
Penny Moreland, prosecuting, said: "There was tension leading up to this incident.
"It appears that the defendant began to take an interest in bodybuilding and was taking steroids.
"Mr Watson formed the view that the defendant was eating a prodigious amount of food.
"Tension rose over the amount of shopping that was being bought, and the rate it was being demolished by the defendant."
Violence erupted when Taylor went into a "rage", and punched Mr Watson to the ground.
Taylor was still struggling when police arrived at the home, said Ms Moreland.
In a victim impact statement Mr Watson said the attack had smashed his confidence, and he felt he was "lucky to be alive".
Judge John Evans gave Taylor a 51-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He also ordered Taylor to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
"If you breach the terms of this order or get into any further trouble, then you will go straight to custody," said Judge Evans.
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