It’s a concept as old as Adam and Eve. However, while Christianity continues to decline in the US at a rapid pace, forbidden snacks are still very, very relevant. At least on the Internet.
Bored Panda has already covered the topic here and here but pictures of these heavenly delights keep popping up all over social media, so we have to keep up. Plus, since our first publication on forbidden snacks, a subreddit of the same name was born too, it’s the perfect opportunity to show it some love as well—some images in this list come from there!
The online community is obsessed with inedible objects that are tasty to the eye, but not to the mouth, so if you like what you see below, feel free to become one of its 911,000 members. From pebbles that look like toast to a hairdo you could sell as ramen, they’ve got it all.
In the meantime, continue scrolling and enjoy our refined selection of the not-so-heavenly delights.
#1 Forbidden Everything
Image credits: JPL_Reader
One of the moderators of r/ForbiddenSnacks, Blank-Cheque, told Bored Panda that the subreddit has been successful right from the start. “It had 100,000 subscribers in early 2018, according to FrontPageMetrics,” they said.
“[I think it has become popular because] inedible stuff that looks like food is simply interesting—just look at the Tide POD meme.”
#2 Grape Agate From Indonesia
Image credits: Yulinka17
For those of you who are too young to remember, the multi-national consumer goods corporation Procter & Gamble introduced the Tide PODS laundry detergent packs in February 2012, and poison control centers got quite a few calls due to children consuming the product.
In fact, according to Know Your Meme, a website dedicated to documenting Internet culture, the ‘forbidden snack’ term grew alongside the rise of the Tide POD Challenge—a dare game involving the consumption of these detergent capsules—to include other foods that look like they might be snacks.
#3 Forbidden Mayonnaise
Image credits: MrFluffytheLion
#4 Manatees Being Fed Sweet Potatoes. While Looking Like Sweet Potatoes
Image credits: chompthecake
Although forbidden snacks is definitely a niche subject, Blank-Cheque believes the subreddit is governed by the same Reddit laws as other communities. “Like most large subreddits, I don’t think the community really has features unique from Reddit as a whole. If the people here are funny then Redditors are funny in general,” they said.
There are frequent reposts like the puppies that look like fried chicken or the mineral that looks like steak but the moderator team try their best to keep the sub fresh.
#5 Forbidden Ramen
Image credits: British-
#6 Carved Green Onyx Gemstone Grapes. I’m Salivating
Image credits: Trolivia
Sadly, some people have a really hard time resisting some of these forbidden snacks. Like Bored Panda mentioned in our previous forbidden snack list, there’s actually an eating disorder that makes the sufferer feel a compulsion to eat non-food items. It’s called pica, and it’s quite rare; pica often occurs with other mental health disorders associated with impaired functioning (e.g., intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia).
#7 Sea Glass, Looks Like Candy
Image credits: E-catherine
#8 Lately, I’ve Been Having A Craving For Grilled Cheese, Then I Noticed My Calendar And It All Made Sense
Image credits: scroopiedoopie
#9 A Giant Broccoli
Image credits: kaigaradotcom
Common cravings in people with pica include the urge to eat soil, coal, rust, chalk and paper. In these individuals, pica usually is a sign that the body is trying to correct a significant nutrient deficiency. The good thing is that treating this deficiency with medication or vitamins often solves the problem.
#10 This Rock Looks Like A Steak
Image credits: DisclosedIntent
#11 I Almost Ate A Praying Mantis That Was In My Salad
Image credits: DirgeofElliot
#12 Forbidden Thanksgiving Turkey
Image credits: theegoofball
#13 Pass Me A Banana. Actually, I’m Alright
Image credits: danruse
#14 Forbidden Avocado
Image credits: migraine_boy
#15 The Wood In This Tree Looks Like Spaghetti And Tomato Sauce
Image credits: AwayState
#16 Forbidden Honey
Image credits: jasminelg16
#17 I Found A Rock That Looks Like Bread With A Bite Taken Out Of It
Image credits: GamerLobster
#18 Forbidden Crème Brulée
Image credits: HPVD Photos
#19 Still Can’t Believe It’s Not Ham
Image credits: MTPROJECTS
#20 My Over-Baked Lap Croissant
Image credits: Rosie RJ
#21 Forbidden Ice Cream
Image credits: JohnCenaAMA
#22 This Rosso Levanto Marble Looks Like Raw Meat
Image credits: The Geography
#23 Mmmmmm… Caramels
Image credits: Mr_PoodlePants
#24 Forbidden Fried Chicken (It’s Calcite)
Image credits: rebelraf
#25 My Buddy’s Soap And Dish Look Like A Fried Egg
Image credits: ronin_cse
#26 Caught Our Japanese Exchange Student About To Drink This Because It Says “Soda” And Has Fruit On The Label
Image credits: McBeardedson
#27 Forbidden Coffee
Image credits: Faith_SC
#28 Vintage Forbidden Candy Identification Chart
Image credits: LinkDude80
#29 Juicy Pomegranate Seeds
Image credits: oldernan
#30 These Forbidden Oreos Are Actually Methamphetamine Disguised As Decorative Aztec Calendar Wheels
Image credits: ice.gov
#31 This Rock That Looks Like A Half-Eaten Potato
Image credits: classicjondor
#32 Can’t Tell If Rust Stained Tarp Or World’s Largest Burrito Just Casually Chilling On The Sidewalk
Image credits: reddit.com
#33 Forbidden Honey Bun
Image credits: Aussie_Red
#34 Anyone Know What Kind This Is? Fried Egg Jellyfish
Image credits: Sunshine Coast BC Canada
#35 Forbidden Pork Belly
Image credits: SailorPuffles
#36 Was Making My Homemade Laundry Detergent And I Had To Stop Myself From Grabbing A Pinch Like When I Normally Shred Cheese
Image credits: Tasmith49
#37 Forbidden Soup
Image credits: Littleredsavior
#38 Bowling Ball Broke At Work. It Looks Like A Forbidden Babybel Cheese
Image credits: hrm326
#39 Forbidden Tortilla (Rusted Metal Paint)
Image credits: Panzer_Man
#40 This Forbidden Ravioli Is Actually A Sea Star
Image credits: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
#41 Forbidden Sour Gummy Hippo (Crystallizing Soap)
Image credits: RogueOrange
#42 Forbidden Sorbet
Image credits: aclassymess
#43 I Found A Pebble That Looks Like A Slice Of French Toast
Image credits: kimcaal
#44 These Pancake-Looking Mushrooms I Found
Image credits: leaf_of_lettuce
#45 Just Throwing Some Meat On The Grill
Image credits: succrose