World Food Day, celebrated on 16 October, is dedicated this year to the theme of food security. The topic encompasses a range of critical issues, including global food inequalities, the quality of food industry products, and biodiversity loss resulting from large-scale monoculture farming. The influence of social media trends on food choices is also a significant aspect of the discussion.

One of FoodTok's biggest recent sensations is Logan Moffit, whose viral videos have showcased quick and easy recipes featuring a whole cucumber. His popularity reached the point where cucumber sales noticeably increased in some stores. Moffit’s videos have inspired millions to prepare their own meals. A fan of East Asian cuisine and culture, he also plays a role in dispelling the myth about the "toxicity" of MSG.

The TikTok craze for cottage cheese may raise eyebrows in regions where it's long been a breakfast staple. It has recently gained newfound fame among fitness enthusiasts and social media influencers due to its high protein content and low fat. They have been using it to create various dishes, particularly desserts—with mixed results. While experimentation is encouraged, a balanced diet still allows occasional indulgence in a truly delicious dessert.

Model Nara Smith, wife of Mormon influencer Lucky Blue Smith, is known for her ability to make almost anything from scratch—from breakfast cereal to homemade Coca-Cola. She is part of a growing trend of "tradwife" influencers: women who dedicate themselves entirely to homemaking and child-rearing. Ironically, there is nothing truly "traditional" about documenting domestic life and earning a living by sharing it on social media. These TikTok tradwives are, in fact, highly entrepreneurial, blending old-fashioned values with modern digital savvy.

The tradwife trend is sometimes called "thirst trapping" for conservatives, with content aimed at captivating viewers. This approach extends to the world of TikTok cooking, where figures like Cedrik Lorenzen have gained popularity. The self-taught culinary artist performs his kitchen routines in a suggestive style, sensually handling ingredients, massaging them, and licking his fingers. But it isn’t just the food that excites viewers; Lorenzen's habit of cleaning up as he cooks has also earned him a devoted following.

In today's society, especially in the developed world, food is often viewed less as a source of pleasure or nourishment and more as a contributor to health problems. Factors such as overly sugary supermarket products, emotional overeating, and sedentary lifestyles have led to rising obesity rates. One medical response has been the use of Ozempic and similar weight-loss drugs, which help people reduce dangerous excess weight by curbing appetite. However, these treatments have also sparked debates about fatphobia and the perceived moral superiority of achieving weight loss through extreme diets and exercise.