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.
This post may include affiliate links.
Forbidden Mayonnaise
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."
Manatees Being Fed Sweet Potatoes. While Looking Like Sweet Potatoes
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.
Grape Agate From Indonesia
Forbidden Everything
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.
Forbidden Ramen
Doggo looks happier than a pup in a planter of water on a hot day. Oh...wait...
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww doggo so happppppppppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I guess that would be a completely normal ramen in China or SK.
Sea Glass, Looks Like Candy
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).
Carved Green Onyx Gemstone Grapes. I’m Salivating
Lately, I've Been Having A Craving For Grilled Cheese, Then I Noticed My Calendar And It All Made Sense
A Giant Broccoli
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.
This Rock Looks Like A Steak
Pass Me A Banana. Actually, I’m Alright
I Almost Ate A Praying Mantis That Was In My Salad
Forbidden Thanksgiving Turkey
Forbidden Avocado
The Wood In This Tree Looks Like Spaghetti And Tomato Sauce
I Found A Rock That Looks Like Bread With A Bite Taken Out Of It
Forbidden Honey
Still Can’t Believe It’s Not Ham
Forbidden Crème Brulée
My Over-Baked Lap Croissant
Mmmmmm... Caramels
Vintage Forbidden Candy Identification Chart
This Rosso Levanto Marble Looks Like Raw Meat
Caught Our Japanese Exchange Student About To Drink This Because It Says "Soda" And Has Fruit On The Label
Had to google it, its an all purpose cleaner. Kinda looks like squash...
Forbidden Ice Cream
My Buddy's Soap And Dish Look Like A Fried Egg
Purposefully done maybe coz there is another soap dish to the right.
Forbidden Fried Chicken (It’s Calcite)
Juicy Pomegranate Seeds
Forbidden Honey Bun
These Forbidden Oreos Are Actually Methamphetamine Disguised As Decorative Aztec Calendar Wheels
Can't Tell If Rust Stained Tarp Or World's Largest Burrito Just Casually Chilling On The Sidewalk
Definitely world's largest burrito just casually chilling on the sidewalk.
Forbidden Coffee
This Rock That Looks Like A Half-Eaten Potato
potatoes shouldn't look juicy, right? (either way, i'd finish it. rock or not.)
This Forbidden Ravioli Is Actually A Sea Star
Forbidden Pork Belly
Anyone Know What Kind This Is? Fried Egg Jellyfish
Bowling Ball Broke At Work. It Looks Like A Forbidden Babybel Cheese
Forbidden Sour Gummy Hippo (Crystallizing Soap)
Forbidden Tortilla (Rusted Metal Paint)
Forbidden Sorbet
Forbidden Soup
Was Making My Homemade Laundry Detergent And I Had To Stop Myself From Grabbing A Pinch Like When I Normally Shred Cheese
I Found A Pebble That Looks Like A Slice Of French Toast
These Pancake-Looking Mushrooms I Found
Just Throwing Some Meat On The Grill
I was like "Whats wrong with it?" Until I remembered the title of the article.
Forbidden Jalapenos
This is so cool. I would actually buy a camera just to record the metamorphosis
Forbidden Pickle Slices
This Rock Looks Exactly Like A Potato
Forbidden Crusty Loaves
Forbidden Rainbow Sherbet
Forbidden Egg Yolk
Forbidden Pineapple
Forbidden Fruit Snacks
Ladies And Gentleman, I Present To You... Pizza Rock
Forbidden Ramen
I'm So Vegan That Every Time I See This Ad, I Think She Is Swimming In Tofu
You Thought Tide Pods Looked Like Candy
The head looks like they have one in their mouth! This should definitely be illegal! Are there no safety regulations at all?
Forbidden Milks
that should be illegal or am i the only one that goes into a supermarket and grabs what I need without looking?
Forbidden Dumplings
This Stone I Found That Looks A Lot Like An Egg. Egg On The Right For Scale
At Least They Tell You It’s Forbidden
Forbidden Steak
The Forbidden Hot Sauce
Forbidden Caramel Truffles (Spider Eggs)
Ready For My Jumbo Size Bucket Of Popcorn
A Fungi That Makes Me Hungry For A Fried Bologna Sandwich
Forbidden Chocolate Bar
It Looked Like A Marzipan, Smelled Like A Marzipan... Turns Out, It Was Soap
Forbidden Grapes
My Mask Filters After One Day Firefighting. Some Nice Tea Would Be Good Right Now
Perfectly Roasted
Epoxy Gummies
It'll Leave A Weird Taste In Your Mouth
Should She Use Tomato Or Alfredo Sauce For Tonight's Italian Dish?
Forbidden Stacked Cucumber Slices
Forbidden Cinnamon Rolls
These Chips/Crisps That Came With My Package
Forbidden Gum
Rian Johnson's Forbidden Donut Candle
Forbidden Hamburger Patties
OMG - are these heart-shaped things made of flowers? Thats gorgeous!
I'm Dyeing Yarn And It Looks Like Beef Ramen
Forbidden Cinnamon Roll
Forbidden Crustinis (Old Spray Foam)
My Towel Fell Off Its Hook And It Looks Like Soft Serve Ice Cream
Forbidden Fudge (It's Soap)
This Shell I Found That Looks Just Like A Coconut
Forbidden Prosciutto
These Forbidden Coco-Puffs Will Crunch Your Teeth (It's Ceramic Balls For Aquarium Filters)
Forbidden Natural Oreo
That looks like the pics of disguised Methamphetamine in previous post!
Forbidden Marshmallows
Forbidden Loaf Of Bread (Brick)
Forbidden Maple Syrup
If You Like Pinacolad- Wait...
This Crystal Looks Like A Cauliflower
Forbidden Mikado Chocolate Sticks
Finishing A New Room, And Man I Do Not Want My Toddlers Finding Any Of The Light, Fluffy "Cotton Candy" Laying Around
They should make this insulation not look like cotton candy. IT ALWAYS LOOKS LIKE COTTON CANDY
Forbidden Hot Chocolate
What's this? Chocolate milk? Hot cocoa? Some coffee? Hot tea?? Nope, it's me cleaning my beauty blender!
Forbidden Bread Roll
Forbidden Cheese Cubes
What I'm Bringing For Christmas Dessert: "Trashcan Lid Rain Leaf Surprise"
My Shoe Melted In My Room In The Summer Heat And Now It Looks Like Caramel
I call bullshit! I live in Phoenix where summer temps average 110-115F (43-46C) degrees. My air conditioning has gone out twice and I have had storms knock out my power for a couple days during the summer. My shoes have never melted inside my house.
My Mom Sent Me This Picture Of Her Latest Crochet Project. Ground Beef Anyone?
Meet Cinnamon. She Was Born With Ears That Look Like Cinnamon Rolls
Forbidden Orange Juice
Forbidden Mushroom
Forbidden Ice Cream
Forbidden Fried Eggs On The Highway
Beach Hotdog
Forbidden Honey
Forbidden Fruit Roll Up
My 4-Year-Old Pointed Out These Forbidden Pringles
This Mushroom That Looks Like A Fried Egg
10-Second Rule Popcorn
Forbidden Maki Sushi
Forbidden Brownies
Forbidden Jelly Beans
What is this? it looks like a nail polish colour display, but the things on it look like painted rocks....
Forbidden Fries
Forbidden Lunch Meat
Forbidden Olive
I once found the soft part on an earbud and it perfectly represented a blueberry 🫐
Forbidden Beer
I assume this was for Covid. When stores couldn't keep hand sanitizer in stock a lot of breweries made hand sanitizer to cover the damand.
Are We Cuckoo For These Coco Puffs?
Forbidden Ramen
Forbidden Cheese Sauce
Forbidden Fish Eggs (Red Airsoft BBS)
This Rock I Found While Hiking That Looks Like A Slice Of Pizza
Forbidden KitKat
So Tasty Buns
Crystal My Brother Found That Kinda Looks Like A Bean Burrito
Forbidden Ice Cream
Forbidden Soft Serve (Molten PVC)
Forbidden Spices
I Thought It Was Candy Until My Mother Pointed Out That It Was A Towel
When You Don’t Tell The Olive Garden Waiter When
A Single Grain Of Sand Looks Like A Forbidden Gummy Bear
Forbidden Corn Muffin. It's An Orange Shag Mushroom Stool
My Coffee Scented Soaps That Look Like Slabs Of Raw Meat
This Forbidden Toblerone Looks Extra Crunchy
Our Builders Appear To Have Filled Up Our Wall With Delicious Strawberry Ice-Cream
Found Some Rocks At The Beach
Forbbiden Sushi Roll
This Rock Looks Like A Steak
Nach-Yo Cheese
This Is Shampoo
Resistor Pizza
Yummy
Forbidden Waffles
My Dorm Is Flooding With Chocolate Milk
Forbidden Ice Cream Sandwich
Cedar Wood Shavings That Look Like Raw Bacon
This Natural Rock That Looks Like Uncooked Bacon
Forbidden Peanut Butter
I Found A Whole Forbidden Platter At A Museum Today
Forbidden Ramen
I Found A Rock That Looks Like A Piece Of Pie
Everything Tastes Better With Spicy Mayo
Forbidden Bacon
Forbidden Eggs
Forbidden Mentos
Forbidden Sausage
Forbidden Wedding Cake
Forbidden Kit Kat
This Spider Looks Like It Has An Oyster Cracker On Its Back
Forbidden Pancake
These Rocks Looks Like Slices Of Baguette Breads
Forbidden Mountain Dew
Forbidden Green And Red Grapes At Walmart. Extra Chronchie
Forbidden Ham/Chicken Breast And Shredded Mozzerella Cheese
Forbidden Steak
Forbidden Cheese Balls
Forbidden Perfectly Toasted Marshmallows
Forbidden Ham - Rhodochrosite Stalactite
Forbidden Olives
Forbidden Toblerone
This Forbidden Steak Is Actually Pink Ruby Crystals
The Couch Pillow Is A Forbidden Corn Cob
Question: Why can I not see photos in this list (others as well) that I've commented on and still getting notification? They aren't listed anywhere that I can see..
It may be possible that you commented on the full list when it the article was first published. This site often posts a full list then scales it back to the most upvoted pics. They often have a link at the end of the article for the full list. Of course that may not be the case, but it is a possibility. Same thing has happened to me.
Load More Replies...I created this compost tea = not for drinking, but looks and smells delicious! https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/05/diy-compost-tea.html
An Atlantis Dinner Welcome welcome do have an aquamarine for an appetizer, an amber hors d'oeuvres then some obsidian soup for the main course we have roast geode with amethyst artichokes, pearl potatoes, carnelian carrots, opal onions Do you all have silverware? Please pass the bar of gold to spread on the bread Could you carve up that chunk of rose quartz? Have some emerald and jade salad with jasper dressing This ruby wine is divine For desert there’s a sapphire sponge cake, pearl pudding or lapis lazuli ice cream with a sprinkling of opal on top then a cup of turquoise tea or copper coffee; we’ll freshen our breaths with an after-dinner diamond Good night then, it’s been a delectable dinner, an absolute gem of an evening Uh-oh, the sea seems to be rising – it’s much higher than it’s ever been before does anyone have a crystal ball? © 3.2016 Helen Bar-Lev
No wonder kids put so much stuff in their mouths they shouldn't when they look like this :P
Except the Christianity reference. Is Akvile a happy atheist?
Load More Replies....... while Christianity continues to decline in the US at a rapid pace, forbidden snacks are still very, very relevant." So you're saying that Christianity is no longer "relevant" ? And that was the only example you could think of? I'm not Christian but I think this is really rude and not called for.
I'm not sure why the preface to this article mentioned that Christianity is on the decline anywhere. Perhaps as a clumsy reference to Lent? Except (1) every religion has its forbidden foods, and ( 2) no one of any religion would consider eating rocks just because they look like food! Basically, the article mistakes 'forbidden' with, simply, 'inedible.'
Question: Why can I not see photos in this list (others as well) that I've commented on and still getting notification? They aren't listed anywhere that I can see..
It may be possible that you commented on the full list when it the article was first published. This site often posts a full list then scales it back to the most upvoted pics. They often have a link at the end of the article for the full list. Of course that may not be the case, but it is a possibility. Same thing has happened to me.
Load More Replies...I created this compost tea = not for drinking, but looks and smells delicious! https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/05/diy-compost-tea.html
An Atlantis Dinner Welcome welcome do have an aquamarine for an appetizer, an amber hors d'oeuvres then some obsidian soup for the main course we have roast geode with amethyst artichokes, pearl potatoes, carnelian carrots, opal onions Do you all have silverware? Please pass the bar of gold to spread on the bread Could you carve up that chunk of rose quartz? Have some emerald and jade salad with jasper dressing This ruby wine is divine For desert there’s a sapphire sponge cake, pearl pudding or lapis lazuli ice cream with a sprinkling of opal on top then a cup of turquoise tea or copper coffee; we’ll freshen our breaths with an after-dinner diamond Good night then, it’s been a delectable dinner, an absolute gem of an evening Uh-oh, the sea seems to be rising – it’s much higher than it’s ever been before does anyone have a crystal ball? © 3.2016 Helen Bar-Lev
No wonder kids put so much stuff in their mouths they shouldn't when they look like this :P
Except the Christianity reference. Is Akvile a happy atheist?
Load More Replies....... while Christianity continues to decline in the US at a rapid pace, forbidden snacks are still very, very relevant." So you're saying that Christianity is no longer "relevant" ? And that was the only example you could think of? I'm not Christian but I think this is really rude and not called for.
I'm not sure why the preface to this article mentioned that Christianity is on the decline anywhere. Perhaps as a clumsy reference to Lent? Except (1) every religion has its forbidden foods, and ( 2) no one of any religion would consider eating rocks just because they look like food! Basically, the article mistakes 'forbidden' with, simply, 'inedible.'