The internet is run by cats and food pics. Correct me if I am wrong, but did you even eat anything if you haven’t posted it on social media? And the more lavish the dinner, beautifully served snacks, and wine glasses, the more food pics need to be taken.

Our enduring fascination with food reveals a lot of profound things about being human and bonding with others. Bored Panda previously spoke about the significance of food in our culture with the pediatric dietitian and feeding expert Rachel Rothman, MS, RD, CLEC, who is also the owner of Nutrition in Bloom, who explained why food is so much more than nourishment.

Rachel believes that food is about culture, history, joy, memories, and tradition. “From a social standpoint, food connects us with friends, family, acquaintances, and coworkers. When you think about get-togethers with others, how often does it involve food?”

In fact, the universality of food connects us in a way that not many other things can. “The smell or taste of specific food can trigger vivid memories from the past, both positive and negative. The creation and repetition of these memories form traditions that are critical to the bonds which bring us together,” she explained.

So it’s only fair that food plays a quintessential role in internet culture. Since eating is an essential, universal daily activity, there's a very large potential audience for content about food here on the internet.

“When you combine that universality with the internet's obsession with authenticity, niche food traditions can explode into the mainstream in exciting ways,” Rachel explained.

On the other hand, the same virality can also have questionable consequences, Rachel warned: “whether by amplifying fad diets, introducing odd creations (pink sauce, anyone?) or playing into the negative stereotypes about what constitutes a healthy body size.”