5 forgotten foods everyone secretly liked but pretended to hate

Admit it: you never actually hated that weird lunch meat. We all played the game of “performative disgust” to look cool in front of our salad-eating friends, but the jig is up. The culinary world is currently obsessed with “Newstalgia”, a 2025 trend in which familiar comforts get a modern twist, and it’s bringing our secret shame-snacks into the spotlight. 

In fact, a recent report by Amra and Elma shows that 75% consumers are craving “authentic” and “retro” experiences more than ever, driving sales of nostalgic items through the roof. It turns out, we were all just waiting for permission to eat the good stuff again.

Here are 5 foods we can finally stop pretending to hate.

Cottage cheese

Remember when eating cottage cheese was social suicide? It was the lumpy, watery poster child for sad dieting. But recently, this curdled underdog has undergone a massive glow-up. Sales of cottage cheese surged nearly 24% in a single month in 2024, driven largely by a “TikTok boom” in which creators began blending it into smooth, creamy dips and ice cream.

I used to gag at the texture, but blending it changes the game entirely. Suddenly, you have a high-protein, silky base that tastes like cheesecake filling. Have you ever tried it whipped with a little honey? It’s life-changing.

• Protein Powerhouse: It packs about 14g of protein per half-cup, making it a favorite for the fitness crowd.
• Versatility: Use it in pancakes, queso, or even cookie dough.

Canned luncheon meat (SPAM)

For decades, we mocked SPAM as “mystery meat” while secretly loving how it tasted when fried. Now, top-tier chefs are putting it on menus without a hint of irony. Chef Esther Choi famously called it the “ultimate loner food,” admitting that even with her culinary skills, it’s what she craves when she’s alone.

The salty, fatty, crispy edges of fried SPAM are undeniable. It hits that umami note that fresh pork just can’t replicate. Hormel reports that its flagship brands, including SPAM, are delivering strong volume growth as consumers seek shelf-stable, tasty protein.

Tinned fish (Sardines)

Sardines went from “smelly old man food” to the internet’s favorite aesthetic snack overnight. Thanks to the “Hot Girl Food” trend, eating sardines is now a symbol of sophistication and wellness. A global market report predicts the canned sardines market will reach over $3 billion by 2035, proving this isn’t just a flash in the pan.

I’ll be honest: I bought my first tin because the packaging was pretty, but I stayed for the taste. When you pair them with good crackers and some pickled onions, it’s basically a budget-friendly charcuterie board.

• Nutrient-Dense: Packed with Omega-3s and calcium.
• Eco-Friendly: Lower carbon footprint than larger fish.

Fried bologna

Bologna was the lunch meat we were told we’d outgrow, but let’s be real: it’s delicious. The secret, as always, is heat. Frying a thick slice of bologna transforms it from a cold, sad circle into a caramelized, savory delight. Even the late, great Anthony Bourdain called a mortadella (bologna’s fancy cousin) sandwich a “beloved heap of oozing awesomeness”.

If it’s good enough for Bourdain, it’s good enough for me. Snoop Dogg even includes a fried bologna sandwich recipe in his cookbook, topping it with BBQ chips for crunch. FYI: If you haven’t put chips on your sandwich since middle school, you are missing out.

Frozen TV dinners

We used to hide the evidence of our microwave meals, but the “sad TV dinner” is dead. In its place is a booming market for premium frozen meals, expected to reach $456 billion by 2032. Modern freezing tech (like flash-freezing) locks in nutrients and texture that the soggy meals of the 90s could only dream of.

The convenience is unbeatable. I recently tried a frozen “chef-curated” noodle bowl that was better than my local takeout spot.

• Clean Labels: New brands avoid the scary preservatives of the past.
• Global Flavors: You can now get authentic Tikka Masala or soup dumplings from the freezer aisle.

Key Takeaway

The era of food shame is officially over. Whether it’s the protein-packed utility of cottage cheese or the nostalgic comfort of fried bologna, we are prioritizing flavor and function over social status. So, grab a fork and dig in; everyone else is doing it too.

Read the Original Article on Crafting Your Home.