The world’s number one nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal, has confirmed Australia’s growing love of sardines shows no signs of slowing as the latest viral social media trend, #sardinemaxxing, sweeps the country. According to data from active MyFitnessPal users in Australia, the volume of sardines logged in July is more than double the volume logged in July last year. Just last month alone, the volume of sardine logs increased by more than 16%, compared to the monthly average, and the highest of any month this year. The findings come as the viral #sardinemaxxing online trend continues to gain momentum.#Sardinemaxxing, which refers to incorporating large amounts of sardines into a person’s diet for their nutritional benefits, has already amassed thousands of videos across social media. More than 100,000 videos now appear under the broader #sardines hashtag just on TikTok alone. The viral trend taking over the country has also done more than just help drive short-term popularity for the well-known, tender food. According to Australian MyFitnessPal members’ food logs, sardines have recorded nearly triple the growth rate of any other seafood category on the app, while other usually popular seafoods, like tuna and salmon, have decreased in popularity over time.

“The #sardinemaxxing trend is bringing valuable attention to a food that has always typically offered strong nutritional value, affordability, and simple relative ease to incorporate into everyday meals.” Nutritionist and MyFitnessPal ambassador, Michaela Sparrow, commented, “While most social media trends are often short-lived, the long-term nutritional benefits of sardines are well established. Their rise in popularity could be a positive development if it encourages Australians to include more nutrient-rich seafood in their diets, where appropriate. MyFitnessPal’s AI Coach can help Aussies make sense of what they’re already tracking, including foods like sardines. It connects nutrients like protein and omega-3s back to personal goals, showing how a food like this fits into the bigger picture rather than being viewed in isolation.”