We all grew up believing some truly wild food myths, whether they came from well-meaning parents, clever marketing, or urban legends spread on the playground. Some of these myths were harmless, while others completely changed how we viewed certain foods. From the idea that swallowing gum meant seven years of digestive doom to the fear that eating too many carrots would turn us orange, we were all a little too trusting when it came to food “facts.”
Swallowed Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years

This one had us terrified every time we accidentally swallowed a piece of gum. The truth? Gum doesn’t digest, but it moves through your system just like everything else. Still, that didn’t stop us from panicking if we accidentally gulped it down, proving just how much we trusted these childhood food warnings.
Carrots Give You Night Vision

Parents pushed carrots on us, claiming they’d give us superhero-level night vision. While carrots are great for eye health, they won’t have you seeing in the dark. Some of these myths were harmless, while others completely changed how we viewed certain foods.
Pop Rocks and Soda Will Make Your Stomach Explode

Every kid knew someone who swore this happened to a “friend of a friend.” Despite the dramatic warning, mixing Pop Rocks with soda does nothing more than create an extra fizzy mess. We all grew up believing some truly wild food myths, whether they came from well-meaning parents, clever marketing, or urban legends spread on the playground.
Eating Watermelon Seeds Will Make a Watermelon Grow in Your Stomach

We all hesitated before swallowing a watermelon seed, imagining a vine sprouting inside us. In reality, stomach acid makes sure no backyard garden is taking root. From the idea that swallowing gum meant seven years of digestive doom to the fear that eating too many carrots would turn us orange, we were all a little too trusting when it came to food “facts”.
If You Eat Too Many Carrots, You’ll Turn Orange

This one had a tiny grain of truth, excess beta-carotene can give your skin an orange tint. But you’d have to eat an absurd number of carrots for it to happen. We all grew up believing some truly wild food myths, whether they came from well-meaning parents, clever marketing, or urban legends spread on the playground.
The Five-Second Rule Means Food Is Still Safe to Eat

We all lived by the five-second rule, believing germs needed a grace period before hopping onto dropped food. In reality, bacteria transfer instantly, but let’s be honest, most of us still abide by it today. Some of these myths were harmless, while others completely changed how we viewed certain foods.
Related Post: 15 Finger Licking Chicken Dishes You Will Make on Repeat
Drinking Coffee Will Stunt Your Growth

Many of us were banned from coffee as kids because we were told it would keep us short. There’s absolutely no scientific evidence to back this up, but that didn’t stop parents from using it as an excuse to keep their caffeine stash safe. From the idea that swallowing gum meant seven years of digestive doom to the fear that eating too many carrots would turn us orange, we were all a little too trusting when it came to food “facts”.
Related Post: How To Fix Dry Cookie Dough
Twinkies Last Forever

People love to joke that Twinkies could survive a nuclear apocalypse, but they actually have a shelf life of about 45 days. While they do contain preservatives, they’re not the eternal snack we once believed. Some of these myths were harmless, while others completely changed how we viewed certain foods.
Related Post: Best Mini Cheesecake Pan With Removable Bottoms
Fortune Cookies Are an Ancient Chinese Tradition

Despite being served at every Chinese restaurant, fortune cookies are actually an American invention. They were first created in California in the early 1900s, but that didn’t stop us from believing they were centuries-old wisdom wrapped in a crunchy shell. We all grew up believing some truly wild food myths, whether they came from well-meaning parents, clever marketing, or urban legends spread on the playground.
Related Post: 12 Foods So Delicious They Make Pizza Look Basic
Bananas Are Grown on Trees

For some reason, we all pictured bananas hanging from trees, but they actually grow on large plants that are more like oversized herbs. Either way, they’re still one of the most convenient, self-wrapped snacks in nature. From the idea that swallowing gum meant seven years of digestive doom to the fear that eating too many carrots would turn us orange, we were all a little too trusting when it came to food “facts”.
Related Post: How to Handle Bread Dough that is too Sticky After Rising
You Can’t Swim After Eating

Every kid heard this one at some point, that swimming right after eating would lead to painful cramps or even drowning. In reality, while digestion diverts some blood flow, it’s not enough to cause any real danger in the water. Some of these myths were harmless, while others completely changed how we viewed certain foods.
Related Post: Best Dutch Ovens For Bread Baking
Microwaving Food Removes Its Nutrients

Microwaves have been unfairly labeled as nutrient killers, but they actually preserve nutrients better than boiling or frying. Cooking methods matter more than the appliance itself, yet many people still hesitate to nuke their veggies. From the idea that swallowing gum meant seven years of digestive doom to the fear that eating too many carrots would turn us orange, we were all a little too trusting when it came to food “facts”.
Related Post: 13 Church Potluck Dishes So Good They Started Arguments
Looking back, it’s funny how many of these food myths shaped the way we ate, worried, and even bragged about what we thought we knew. Some of them were harmless fun, while others were pure marketing genius that kept us hooked on certain foods (or away from them). While science has debunked most of these beliefs, a few still linger in everyday conversations. Next time someone warns you about the dangers of swallowing gum or insists brown eggs are superior, you can smile, nod, and share the truth, because now you know better.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
10 Mind-Blowing 70s Recipes You Won’t Believe Were All the Rage

From flashy dinner party showstoppers to the rise of convenient, quick-fix meals, the 70’s brought a whole new vibe to how we ate and entertained. Let’s rewind to that colorful decade and dive into 10 mind-blowing recipes that took kitchens by storm and are still making waves in our food memories today!
Read it here: http://10 Mind-Blowing 70s Recipes You Won’t Believe Were All the Rage
15 Iconic Foods Boomers Miss Every Time They Shop

Shopping today isn’t what it used to be. Many of the beloved foods boomers grew up with have disappeared from shelves, either due to changing tastes, health concerns, or companies discontinuing them. These were the flavors of childhood, the snacks that made after-school treats special, and the meals that brought families together. Here are 15 iconic foods boomers still long for every time they walk through the grocery store.
Read it here: 15 Iconic Foods Boomers Miss Every Time They Shop
15 Beloved Dishes From Your Childhood You Totally Forgot Existed

Childhood meals often carry a special place in our hearts, reminding us of simpler times spent with family and friends. Some of those dishes might have slipped into the realm of forgotten nostalgia, but with one bite, they come rushing back. These beloved dishes are the ones you probably loved growing up but haven’t seen in ages. It’s time to reminisce and rediscover these forgotten favorites!
Read it here: 15 Beloved Dishes From Your Childhood You Totally Forgot Existed