The new year calls for a new list of food trends we no longer need. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to follow all the food trends you see on your social media feed. Because if you really think about it, some of them are just plain obnoxious; others are either outdated or don’t make sense at all.
Most items on this list were once “trendy,” but along the way, we realized they can be fundamentally unhealthy and aren’t so practical. Here are 10 food trends we’re happy to say goodbye to in 2025.
10. Over-the-top Milkshakes
Picture milkshakes piled high with other sweet desserts like cake, popcorn, and brownie bites. That’s overindulgent if you ask me. Over-the-top milkshakes, also called freakshakes, took the social media world by storm because they look so IG-worthy. The thing is, these super sweet treats promise nothing but outlandish decadence, and we know for a fact that too much of anything can be harmful.
9. Sushi Burrito
Sushi burritos are essentially oversized sushi rolls stuffed with fish, veggies, rice, and sauces, and then served like a burrito. However, the loose construction and large size of this kind of burrito can lead to a messy dining experience. Sushi, a quintessential Japanese food, is also meant to be served as a precisely crafted dish and in small quantities. Including them in a burrito would only overpower their distinct flavor.
8. Liquid Nitrogen Desserts
The liquid nitrogen dessert was another Instagram food trend that looked super cool, until it’s not. It took the form of an ice cream or cereal that, when eaten, causes a visible fog to come out of your mouth and nose, much like a dragon’s breath. One thing to note is that liquid nitrogen can be damaging when mishandled. They can be as cold as negative 320 degrees and may damage your skin and body.
7. Single-use Kitchen Gadgets
If you also spend some time cooking at home, then this is a trend you need to ditch. While some unitaskers, like rice cookers and bread makers, are genuinely useful, most could only take up space in your kitchen. And flash news: you can live without them. Many single-use items can be replaced by standard kitchen tools. For example, you don’t need that garlic peeler or avocado slicer if you have a nice set of kitchen knives.
6. Food Items with Gold
Gold whipped cream, anyone? How about burgers with gold leaves? Cooking with edible gold is another trend that favors appearance over flavor. It’s true that edible gold is neither harmful nor healthy, so why ditch this practice? Well, there are no nutritional benefits to consuming edible gold. And more importantly, it’s tasteless. In terms of flavor and texture, it adds nothing to a dish other than glitter.
5. Cronuts
The cronuts craze started back in 2013, and decades later, the croissant-donut hybrid has become a common menu item in many neighborhood bakeries. Thankfully, the lines for cronuts are no longer a mile long. Pastry fans noticed that the sweetness levels of cronuts are pretty high. The process of deep-frying the dough also takes away the fluffy and airy texture that we love about croissants.
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4. Water Bottle Collections
Before you get another Stanley or Owala water bottle, think again. To be clear, the problem here is not the water bottle, but the act of collecting it, which easily turns into overconsumption. It’s also ironic that these water bottles are reusable but some would want an entire collection of them. Chances are you’re not going to need all of those water bottles. So save yourself from all the cleaning needed, and of course, overspending.
3. Gourmet Popcorn
Makers of gourmet popcorn claim that their products are made with non-GMO corn, premium oils, and other additional ingredients like artisanal cheese, fresh caramel, and chocolate drizzles. However, these same toppings could increase the calorie content per serving. And not just that, gourmet popcorn with excessive amounts of sodium and sugar can also contribute to blood pressure issues and weight gain, respectively.
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2. Salad in Mason Jars
Have you ever seen a colorful salad that looks perfectly layered inside a glass jar? Looks awesome, right? Now, think about eating that salad in a jar. Does it spark joy? Many salad fans don’t think so. Because mixing those layers is nearly impossible, and the dressing gets stuck on the bottom of the glass. Or, if the dressing is on top of the greens, the veggies could become soggy before you even eat them. Practicality-wise, nothing beats a salad in a bowl.
1. Sriracha Everything
The rise of “swicy” foods was one of the most memorable trends of 2024, thanks to flavorful sauces like sriracha. No wonder we can find this tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce in lots of dishes: wings, sandwiches, salads, burgers, you name it. However, using sriracha excessively can overpower other ingredients in your meals. Flavor overwhelm is real, and you don’t want to create a one-dimensional flavor profile for your food.
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From The Club
These are the food trends we’re ready to kick to the curb. Some of these can lead to unhealthy eating patterns, or worse, take away the joy of eating. Most items here have also become popular just for their looks. So the next time you see a new food trend on your TikTok’s For You Page, try to avoid visual deception and focus on flavor and nutrition instead.