How social media is changing what we eat

In today’s fast-scrolling world, what’s on your plate might just depend on what’s on your feed.

A new study of 5,000 U.S. adults found 77% of Americans now make mealtime decisions based on what’s trending online. And many believe fries are at the top of many trends.

Commissioned by McCain (https://www.mccain.com) and conducted by Talker Research reveals that for many, food content isn’t just entertainment — it’s inspiration.

The poll found that nearly everyone (93%) regularly encounters food on social media, and food-related posts make up almost 40% of their feeds. More than half (58%) have saved enough viral recipes to fill a cookbook of their own.

Platforms once known for dance challenges and memes are now home to amateur chefs and late-night snackers. From discovering cooking hacks (56%) to exploring new dishes (44%) and prepping their first viral meal, the kitchen has officially gone digital.

One standout star for many are loaded fries — 72% of Americans who find viral recipes online say they’ve seen this decked-out dish online, and millennials prove especially devoted (76%).

Other viral staples, like Caesar salad with fries — a.k.a. the now-iconic “Girl Dinner” — and espresso martinis have also etched themselves into the social food canon (30% and 17%, respectively). Pairing martinis and fries are also a hit for 8% of respondents.

But it’s fries that reign supreme in shareability and viral potential: 69% of respondents say fries are the most likely to blow up online, beating out chicken (67%), pasta (63%), and pizza (62%).

“Food content is so popular because it’s a creative outlet and a shared language,” said Tracy Hostetler, vice president marketing, North American Potato. “Fries are the perfect canvas — they’re familiar, flexible, and loved by everyone. That’s what makes them so viral and so unifying.”

The survey also found food culture today is about more than what looks good on screen — it’s about connection.

Six in 10 Americans say they regularly share food with friends in person, and nearly half (47%) also pass along recipes or food content digitally.

Fries again take center stage, nearing the top the list of favorite shareable foods — second only to pizza (71% and 73%, respectively). Chips, wings, and dips round out the table.

For the 6% of people who enjoy a little chat over chow — or “this and yap” — fries (72%), pizza (61%), and chips and dip (61%) were go-to favorites. Respondents say this is because fries are easy to love (66%), hard to argue with (56%), and nearly impossible to resist (44%).

Of course, even shared snacks come with their own code of conduct. Sixty-eight percent enforce a no double-dipping rule, while 43% agree that asking before grabbing the last fry is sacred etiquette.

“Whether you’re swapping fries from the same basket or trading viral recipes in the group chat, food connects us,” added Tracy. “Fries are a food that invite everyone to the table — whether that table is physical or digital.

“From ‘girl dinner’ spreads to Friday-night ‘this and that’ hangouts, food culture is evolving—and fries are at the center of it all. McCain is proud to fuel these moments of togetherness with fries that are made to be shared, remixed, and loved.”