TikTok is full of microtrends, especially when it comes to food. Eating a whole cucumber, making a protein-packed Diet Coke? The list is endless and, frankly, can be a little silly. The new TikTok trend of 2025 is bloggers stuffing a whole handful of spinach into their mouths, citing that this way they are “getting the maximum nutritional benefit.”
Content TikTok Trend 2025: Why People Are Eating Spinach Straight From the FridgeSo what's really behind this trend?TikTok Trend 2025 Spinach: Should You Follow It?
WomanEL got interested in the trend and dug into the issue. Is this really the best way to get nutrients from spinach?
TikTok Trend 2025: Why People Eat Spinach Straight From the Fridge
Launched in early February, the TikTok videos hinge on two key factors: the spinach has to be raw, and it has to be eaten first thing in the morning. Most people think a handful is enough, and it doesn't seem to go well with anything else. Just a handful of raw spinach. That's it. Of course, it would be easier to add it to a smoothie you're already planning to drink, or to an omelet you just made.
Why do people do it? According to these videos, in addition to getting a ton of vitamins, iron, and potassium at the start of your day, some claim that it can “curb carb and sugar cravings,” while others claim that doing it every morning will help “train your taste buds for the rest of the day.” It’s reminiscent of the “no pain, no gain” culture of the 90s and early 2000s, which had us doing things like wiping our faces with apricot shells every night and eating nothing but cabbage soup for every meal.
It’s not that these things aren’t good in moderation (gentle exfoliation is great for your skin, and kale is a great, nutrient-dense vegetable), but relying on one thing alone isn’t the best path to success. “I think spinach is definitely a very nutritious food. But it doesn’t have the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that a person needs on a daily basis,” says Christina Manian, a sustainable food systems expert. “As for the claim that eating it in the morning will keep you from craving food all day, I’m not sure that’s true.”
So what's really behind this trend?
You can cook spinach and reap the benefits of its nutritional value, Source: freepik.com
In fact, there's not much scientific evidence to support claims that training taste buds can suppress hunger. A study from the University at Buffalo found that feeding rats bitter foods (like leafy greens) could train a salivary protein compound that's activated when bitter foods are consumed to increase its levels over time.
The press release states that when this protein is activated, “bitter becomes like water.” This allowed the rats to eat more bitter foods without paying attention to the taste. It’s important to note that studies conducted on mice and rats don’t translate well to humans, as our physiology, such as hormonal and immune systems, is too different from those of lab mice and rats to draw any firm conclusions. In fact, studies in humans show that denying food cravings can lead to increased appetite and even binge eating.
It’s not all bad news, though. There’s plenty of evidence to show that eating a meal sequence—vegetables first, protein second, then everything else—can actually help you manage hunger, feel fuller, and better control your blood sugar. “I often eat spinach in the morning (usually with tofu or an egg and whole-grain toast), but I don’t feel the need to eat it raw as the first thing I put in my body,” says Manian.
Spinach TikTok Trend 2025: Should You Follow It?
There's really no harm (except maybe a slight choking hazard?) in trying this trend. “Given that most people don't eat enough vegetables, I consider it a win,” says Lauren Manaker, a women's nutrition expert and consultant. “They're still getting fiber and plant compounds when they eat them in handfuls.”
Nutritionists consider adding spinach to any part of your daily diet a total win. “Overall, eating raw spinach is a great practice, as is eating cooked spinach,” says Manian. “I think if people do it at any time of day, that’s great. And if they feel like eating spinach in the morning, that’s great too.”
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