30 Weird Food Photos That Will Shock You Before Every Bite
We all love looking at delicious meals on Instagram—those perfect #foodporn photos that make you instantly hungry. In fact, science says just seeing tasty food can boost your appetite. Your body actually releases a hunger hormone when you look at mouthwatering food images.
But sadly, it works the other way too.
Just one photo of a disgusting dish can kill your appetite in seconds. From raw chicken burgers and moldy takeout to green slimy spaghetti and food that simply screams “What is that?”, the internet is packed with shocking food pictures that no one should ever eat.
Bored Panda has put together a wild collection of the worst food fails ever shared online. This list of viral food disasters is not for the faint of stomach. So, if you were about to eat something—maybe wait a few minutes.
Scroll down to see the most unforgettable gross food photos, vote for the ones that made you gag, and feel free to drop your own food horror stories in the comments!
I Noticed A Piece Of Broccoli On My Plate That I Thought Looked Like An Opossum Face So I Used It To Make A Little Food Opossum
Apparently Using A Syringe To Inject The Filling Of A Jelly Bun Doesn’t Work That Well
The Chicken Sandwich I Got From Mr Beast Burger Today
They say we eat with our eyes first—and it’s true. Just looking at a dish or even a food photo can instantly tell us whether we think it’ll taste amazing or awful.
According to food experts, there are four key things that make a meal look delicious: color, shape, size, and texture. These visual elements give our brains clues about how the food might taste. Bright colors and neat shapes can make a dish look fresh and tasty, while dull colors or odd textures can turn people off—sometimes before the first bite!
Whether you’re a home cook or a food blogger, learning how to make meals look good is just as important as how they taste.
I’m Fairly Certain I’ll Never Be Invited To A Potluck Again
I’ve Been Spending A Little Extra Time On Dinner Lately
Sliced Homemade Sourdough Bread Topped With Creamy Light Brie Cheese. Preheat Oven To 350 And Bake For 11 Hours. Enjoy
Many people believe that food is a form of art—and they’re not wrong. Just like in a painting, color plays a huge role in food presentation. Bright, bold colors can make a meal feel full of life, while using matching or complementary colors can create beautiful contrast and depth on the plate.
According to American Dining Creations, a dish can smell and taste amazing, but if the plate looks messy or the colors clash, it can actually ruin the overall experience. Too many dull or confusing colors might make people lose interest—even before they take a bite.
That’s why smart plating techniques and good color choices are key to making food look as good as it tastes.
I Was Making Thai Basil Chicken Then I Turned Around For A Minute And My Brother Put Blue Food Dye In It. He’s 19
Proof My Little Caesars Is Run By Stoners
These “Treats” My Mom Made For Easter/April Fools
Personal chef and cooking instructor Joni Sare believes that color is the most important part of a beautiful meal—and it tells us more than just how food looks. According to Sare, different food colors actually reflect their nutritional value. “The color in food comes from phytochemicals and other natural compounds, which our bodies need for good health,” she explains.
Harvard Medical School agrees. Each color offers unique health benefits, and no single color is better than the others. Their advice? Aim to eat 4.5 cups of colorful fruits and vegetables every day for a balanced, nutrient-packed plate.
So next time you plan a meal, think beyond flavor. A rainbow of foods doesn’t just look great—it also fuels your body with powerful nutrients.
GF Says That My Standard Combo Of Noodles And Sardines Looks Like Something Straight Out Of Silent Hill
We Made Roast Chicken With Lime Stuffing
Coffee From The Coffee Machine At My Uni
While we often judge food by its appearance, that habit isn’t always a good thing. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted every year, mostly because it doesn’t look perfect.
At the same time, more than 820 million people around the world go hungry every day.
The FAO also estimates that the amount of food we throw away could actually feed 1.26 billion hungry people every year. That’s a powerful reminder that good food doesn’t have to look perfect to be nutritious and life-saving.
By changing how we see and value “ugly” fruits and vegetables, we can reduce food waste and help fight global hunger.
Ordered Carbonara From A ‘5 Star Uber Restaurant’
(Very) Poisonous Fugu Fish, Now Free With Your Dried Anchovies!
“You Should Put The Refried Beans In A Ziploc Bag And Pipe Them Onto The Nachos”, She Said
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a big reason for food waste is our bias toward perfect-looking fruits and vegetables. People often throw away produce that looks odd—even if it’s perfectly safe and nutritious to eat.
The FAO’s State of Food and Agriculture 2019 report shows that this problem is much worse in wealthy, high-income countries. Stores often prefer to sell produce that looks the same in color, shape, and size. Anything that doesn’t meet those “perfect” standards is usually discarded—even though it’s still good food.
Sometimes these “imperfect” items are used in pre-made meals. But even then, they spoil fast and often get thrown away at the end of the day or sold at lower prices, causing more waste.
Fixing this mindset can help reduce food waste and support sustainable food systems.
Chinese Takeout
Our Airbnb Had A Brick Oven. We Tried Making Pizza
Housemate Heated Up Meatball Spaghetti In A Microwave And Left It There For 3 Weeks
Ordered Ceased Salad For $15 From One Of The Local Restaurants
A Whole Tray Of School Lunch Pizza
