10 Ridiculous Food Fads: What Were We Thinking?

Food trends are always changing. As people want healthier options or less sugar, the food industry tries to keep up. But sometimes, in our quest to have it all, we try some pretty strange food trends that aren’t so good for us.

Related: 10 Dangerous Health Fads And Medical Treatments Used In The Past

The Goldfish Swallowing Craze of 1939

Can you imagine swallowing live goldfish? In 1939, American college students did just that to prove their coolness. It started with a Harvard student and quickly spread. One person even boasted a record of 101 goldfish in one go!

The fad died out fast. Eating live goldfish isn’t that appealing. People added salt, pepper, milk, or mashed potatoes to get them down. Feeling the scales wasn’t pleasant either.

Animal rights groups and legislators tried to stop it. Doctors warned of tapeworms and anemia. It became one of the shortest and strangest college fads ever. ^[1]

Marijuana and Delta 8 Edibles That Look Like Candy

As recreational marijuana becomes more popular, many new users prefer edibles over smoking. Delta 8 THC, legal in the US, offers a similar high.

But here’s the problem: these products often look like candy, making them easy for children to accidentally eat. Regulations vary by state.

Sadly, kids are being hospitalized more often for eating marijuana edibles without knowing. In one case, a child died. In Las Vegas, a toddler nearly died from Delta 9 edibles. ^[2]

Cannibal Sandwiches and Steak Tartare: A Raw Deal

Steak tartare, a dish of raw beef mixed with seasonings and raw egg yolk, is often served in fancy restaurants. While poisonings are rare there due to safety standards, preparing it at home is risky.

Never use ground beef for steak tartare; always use high-quality cuts and grind them in a sterile environment. Most home kitchens aren’t safe enough.

Even worse is the “cannibal sandwich” from Wisconsin, made with pre-ground beef and spices, eaten raw. Government advice? Cook it or don’t eat it at all. ^[3]

The Unicorn Fad: A Sprinkle of Stress

A few years ago, unicorns were everywhere! Cutesy products in unicorn colors took over. It was great for Instagram, but it got out of hand.

The fad became too much. Some people formed unicorn lifestyle communities. Most importantly, it stressed out service sector employees.

Starbucks released a unicorn frappuccino that changed color and flavor. It was hard to make and messy. One barista’s viral video showed the mess he had to deal with. Starbucks understood and didn’t fire him. ^[4]

Bacon Everything: Overdone and Unhealthy

In the early 2010s, bacon was in everything. Bacon sundaes with maple syrup were a thing. There were even bacon-flavored lollipops and scented soaps.

At one point, there was a rumor of a bacon shortage. People worried, but it turned out to be false.

The fad died down, and bacon on everything became a played-out joke. But bacon consumption stayed high, even with higher prices. Despite health risks, Americans never tired of bacon itself. ^[5]

Orange You Glad? Too Much Carrot Juice

Juicing is a popular trend. People turn fruits and veggies into juice, believing it’s healthy.

One popular juice is carrot juice, thought to be good for eyesight. But drinking too much can turn your skin orange!

It’s not just carrot juice. Anything with a lot of beta carotene can do it. One girl in the UK drank 1.5 liters of Sunny Delight a day and turned orange. Luckily, the condition fades in a few months. ^[6]

Olestra: The Fat-Free Fail

In the 1990s, people wanted fat-free, low-calorie foods. In 1996, Olestra was approved as a fat substitute and added to Pringles and Fritos.

It seemed like a miracle, letting you enjoy fatty foods without the guilt. But the miracle didn’t last.

Olestra caused loose stools and greasy bowel movements. The strict labeling was retired in 2003 because no one used it anymore. The fat-free food fad died away. ^[7]

Pre-Workouts: Risky Business

Taking pre-workouts before exercising has become a trend. Teens are using them for quick gains, despite the risks.

If used responsibly, pre-workouts can help with bodybuilding. But they’re not necessary, and there are risks involved.

There’s no set amount of pre-workout ingredients. You might not even get what’s listed. Taking too much can cause a caffeine overdose. One man died because he overdosed on caffeine. Also, the dry scooping trend on Tik-Tok can cause a heart attack. ^[8]

Activated Charcoal: A Black Mark on Food Dye

Before the pandemic, activated charcoal was popular. Everything was black. People thought it was a safe way to enjoy food or even prevent hangovers.

But it quickly went out of style because of the risks. It can absorb medications, making them not work. It can also cause severe constipation.

There’s little evidence it has therapeutic benefits at home, and it doesn’t cure hangovers. ^[9]

The Keto Diet: Not a Weight Loss Miracle

The Keto Diet is popular for burning fat. But it was designed for kids with epilepsy as a last resort when medications were too dangerous.

The diet involves starving yourself of carbs and eating mostly fat, forcing your body into ketosis. While it burns fat, it comes with risks.

Little is known about its long-term use, but short-term effects include constipation, low blood pressure, nutrient deficiencies, heart disease risk, kidney stones, brain fog, and mood swings. ^[10]

From swallowing goldfish to the Keto diet, food fads can be strange and sometimes dangerous. It’s important to be careful about what you eat and why. These trends remind us that not every food craze is worth trying!