This Is the Most Shocking Form of Cyberbullying Currently Affecting Teenagers

When discussing how to stay safe online with your digitally savvy kids, there are many topics that come up — protecting their identity on the internet, the ground rules of having their own social media accounts, the dangers of talking to strangers, how not to compare themselves with their peers. But for children who are struggling with their mental health, there’s a new scary online trend that should definitely be on your radar, according to researcher and bullying expert Sameer Hinduja of Florida Atlantic University. It’s called digital self-harm, and it’s gaining popularity with young teens at an alarming rate. Here’s what you need to know to protect your kiddos.

What Is Digital Self-Harm, and how common is it?

We’re glad you asked. Digital self-harm, often referred to as self-trolling or self-cyberbullying, occurs when adolescents post, send, or share mean things about themselves online using anonymous social media accounts. “The idea that someone would cyberbully themselves first gained public attention with the tragic suicide of 14-year-old Hannah Smith in 2013 after she anonymously sent herself hurtful messages on a social media platform just weeks before she took her own life,” says Hinduja, a professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.

To better understand this shocking phenomenon, Hinduja and his collaborator from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Justin W. Patchin, PhD, decided to investigate the understudied problem empirically. In a new study, the first of its kind to examine the extent of this behavior, Hinduja and Patchin used a nationally representative sample of 5,593 middle and high school students between the ages of 12 and 17 years old living in the United States to find out how many youth participated in digital self-harm, as well as their motivations for such behavior.

The results of the study showed that one in every 20 teens reported that they have anonymously posted something mean about themselves online. Among these, about half (51.3 percent) said they did it just once and about one-third (35.5 percent) said they did it a few times, while 13.2 percent said they had done it many times. The results of the study shocked Hinduja: “This finding was totally unexpected, even though I’ve been studying cyberbullying for almost 15 years.”

The Motivation Behind Writing Anonymous Hate Comments About Oneself Online

To better understand what motivated young teens to post anonymous mean comments about themselves online, the researchers asked participants an open-ended question about why they had engaged in digital self-harm. Most of the comments they collected fit into six distinct themes: self-hate, attention seeking, depressive symptoms, feeling suicidal, trying to be funny, and seeing if anyone would react. Boys were more likely to participate in this behavior (seven percent) compared to girls (five percent), but their reasons for doing so varied dramatically. Boys described their behavior as a joke or a way to get attention, while girls said they did it because they were depressed or psychologically hurt.

While age and race didn’t significantly affect the likelihood of engaging in digital self-harm, other factors did increase the odds of participating in the behavior. For example, teens who identified as non-heterosexual were three times more likely to bully themselves online; victims of cyberbullying were nearly 12 times as likely to have cyberbullied themselves compared to those who were not victims; and those who reported using drugs or participating in deviance, had depressive symptoms, or had previously engaged in self-harm behaviors offline were all significantly more likely to have engaged in digital self-harm.

“Prior research has shown that self-harm and depression are linked to increased risk for suicide and so, like physical self-harm and depression, we need to closely look at the possibility that digital self-harm behaviors might precede suicide attempts,” said Hinduja. “We need to refrain from demonizing those who bully, and come to terms with the troubling fact that in certain cases the aggressor and target may be one and the same. What is more, their self-cyberbullying behavior may indicate a deep need for social and clinical support.”

Clinical Psychologist and Guest Co-Host on The Doctors Dr. Judy Ho Weighs In

In an effort to better understand the ins and outs of digital self-harm, we asked clinical psychologist and guest co-host on The DoctorsDr. Judy Ho to weigh in on this important issue.

B+C: Can you talk about your experience seeing digital self-harm in action as a licensed clinical psychologist? Do you agree with Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D, that this practice is more popular than people might think?

Dr. Judy Ho: Digital self-harm is more common than we might think. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have worked with many clients who exhibit these behaviors and have been trying to educate these clients and their parents about this phenomenon and its detrimental effects.

A good definition of digital self-harm is “the online communication and activity that leads to, supports, or exacerbates non-suicidal yet intentional harm or impairment of an individual’s physical or mental well-being.” It is incredible how this can escape under the radar since it is not the traditional physical self-harm like cutting and burning arms, legs, etc. that some clients do. And the shocking thing is that digital self-harm is becoming perhaps more prevalent than traditional self-harm behaviors.

The examples I have seen range from just a few comments to dozens that span comments on their own Instagram feed or Facebook posts, such as “You look disgusting,” “You’re fat and ugly,” to “You aren’t worthy of love or being alive.” It is really sad how severe they can take the self-bullying, and when I talk to them they usually cite a few different reasons for why they do it, including 1) self-hatred or low self-esteem, so in essence they’re giving themselves what they deserve; 2) as a cry for help, to show people how much they are hurting and hopefully for someone to come to their defense on their own posts; and 3) as a way to preempt other people from hurting them, because if they bully themselves, then if other people add to that feed and bully them too, then they can take it and it is somehow seemingly more within their control.

B+C: How destructive is this behavior?

JH: The secrecy of the behavior and the difficulty in pinpointing it (since many of these individuals will create fake screennames, handles, and aliases for use in self-bullying) add to the destructive potential of these behaviors. This behavior captures a part of the population that is too fearful of actually causing physical harm to themselves, but has such self-loathing that they feel like they have to act on that feeling by beating themselves up psychologically. This is likely to lead to increased symptoms of depression both in terms of frequency and severity, and possibly suicidal ideation and actual suicidal attempts if taken to the extreme. Research has shown that physical self-harm, which is also often rooted in a low self-concept, is related to increased suicidal ideation and attempts, and it is quite possible we will see a similar trend with digital self-harm.

B+C: What signs should parents be looking out for that may indicate their child is practicing digital self-harm online?

JH: It is important to underscore that research and anecdotal evidence has shown again and again that high levels of parental monitoring can help to prevent a number of negative outcomes and promote healthier trajectories in their children. Parents have to recognize and own the fact that as long as children are under their roof, they have the right and responsibility to keep tabs on their children’s behaviors, including who they associate with, how they engage in online activities, and where they are at various times during the day. I encourage parents to talk to their children to help them understand that the use of technology and online social media is a privilege, not a right; and therefore subject to random and recurrent checks by parents as well as rule-setting regarding use of these devices. These rules may include anything from requiring that children only use their laptops in public areas of the home (like the dining room), having knowledge of their social media usernames and passwords, and even providing a phone that does not have smart technology and therefore no access to social media in more extreme cases when the child has demonstrated questionable behavior online.

Parents should look for a number of warning signs, including: 1) secretive behavior and changes to their usual routine (like going to sleep much later, or spending most of their free time in their room behind closed doors); 2) decreased interests in hobbies or activities they usually enjoy and declining participation in family activities; 3) evidence that they are being bullied at school or online, or evidence that they are bullying others; 4) increased sadness and crying; 5) statements that they hate themselves or don’t want to go on with their lives.

B+C: How should parents react if they find their child is participating in this behavior?

JH: Most likely, the child is already feeling a great deal of shame, sadness, and guilt about participating in this behavior, so it is helpful if the parents do not chastise the child but instead take a positive, open approach to dialogue. It is helpful if parents can convey their worry about these behaviors in a calm manner, reiterate that they are there to listen to any of the child’s concerns and ask them how they can help. I think it is tempting for some parents to drill down on questions like “why are you doing this,” or to order them to stop immediately; but those questions or demands are likely to lead the child to close down further and perhaps think of other ways to conceal this behavior so they aren’t caught the next time. Asking open-ended questions and allowing space for the child to talk about whatever is on their mind is the first step to promoting an honest conversation. It will also be important to connect the child to a mental health professional so that there is a safe space to work through the underlying issues (such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or trauma) that lead to digital self-harm, and to learn more effective coping strategies when they are feeling emotionally dysregulated.

B+C: According to the study mentioned above, victims of cyberbullying were nearly 12 times as likely to have cyberbullied themselves compared to those who were not victims. Can you speak to this — why are victims more likely to engage in this behavior and how can we support teens and pre-teens to help break the cycle?

JH: The biggest risk factor for self-cyberbullying was having been a victim of cyberbullying or in-person bullying from others in the past. Victims of bullies who also bully are likely to suffer from a number of problems, including low self-esteem, feeling lonely, and being very impulsive. Often times, people who bully come from a place of great insecurity, which is why they pick on others to draw attention away from themselves, and to attempt to decrease the likelihood that they themselves will be bullied. In addition, they learn how to bully others in ways that have hurt them in the past, and begin to develop calloused ways of thinking and display low empathy for others’ suffering.

It is crucial that we break this cycle, as this subpopulation of children is especially at risk for developing long-term mental health problems and co-occurring substance abuse; are less likely to graduate from high school; and had the highest rates of self-harm, plans for suicide, and actual attempts. It is important to reach out to these children who display this pattern of behavior to help them find purpose and value in other prosocial activities, to strengthen their self-concept in ways that don’t tie to their bully or victim identities, and to facilitate true connectedness with peers. Involving them in structured activities (e.g., sports, clubs) that help to promote self-esteem and collaboration with others, and introducing these children to others who have engaged in the same cycle can be helpful for them to know they are not alone, and to provide a forum for support.

What are your thoughts about the growing popularity of digital self-harm? Tweet us your comments by mentioning @BritandCo.

(Photo via Getty)

After only two episodes of Only Murders in the Building season 4, Hulu renewed the series for season 5! I'm so excited that the show breaks a recent pattern of cancelling shows after the third or fourth season, giving us more time with our favorite characters, and I'm not the only one.

"Here we go again… my favorite set family. I’m coming home!" Selena Gomez says in an Instagram post, while the official Only Murders account made their own post, saying, "We had our lawyers call business affairs. Turned the 4 into a 5. #OnlyMurdersInTheBuilding is coming back for Season 5!!"

Here's everything you need to know about Only Murders in the Building season 5, coming to Hulu soon.

What is Only Murders in the Building season 5 about?

Patrick Harbron/Disney

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Plot

We finally got our first details about Only Murders season 5 — and we're going in a direction I totally didn't expect. When Sofia visits Mabel and Charles in the season 4 ending, and asks them to find her missing husband, she's disappointed when they turn her down. And since Téa Leoni just joined the season 5 cast, it looks like she's not taking no for an answer.

“I think she’s the great tease at the end of the finale and a little bit of an intriguing bump forward,” co-creator John Hoffman says in an interview with Deadline. “She’s an extension of the little news report in Episode 9 that Mabel makes note of at the hospital. [Sofia] is the wife of the Dry Cleaning King of Brooklyn, and maybe a couple of dry cleaning outlets in Manhattan, as well, we may come to know...It’s a world opened up potentially that we haven’t talked about too much yet in New York, so she holds a lot of intrigue.”

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

New York's underground is a wild space that we haven't really seen on Only Murders yet so I know we're in for one very interesting season — because if this show is going to go there, they're going to go there.

Executive producer Dan Fogelman told The Wrapwe can look forward to “another big fun mystery the writers have been cooking up," while Hoffman has gone on the record saying the new episodes will “hit on some very current things going on within New York, specifically very relevant things that are happening in the city right now.”

When is Only Murders in the Building season 5 coming out?

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Release Date

According to The Wrap, Only Murders is looking to begin production on season 5 in March of 2025. Considering we've had a new season over the last four years (with season 1 in 2021, season 2 in 2022, season 3 in 2023, and season 4 in 2024), we're expecting to see season 5 in 2025. Stay tuned for the official Only Murders in the Building season 5 release date.

Who's in Only Murders in the Building season 5?

Eric McCandless/Disney

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Cast

The cast of Only Murders in the Building includes Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin. Téa Leoni will also return as Sofia Caccimelio, whose husband Nicky has gone missing.

According to Dan Fogelman, “we can expect more big guest stars that’ll probably be announced sooner rather than later,” he tells The Wrap.

Season 3 featured Ashley Park, Paul Rudd, Meryl Streep, and Jesse Williams, while season 4 stars Streep, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Kumail Nanjiani, Desmin Borges, Siena Werber, Lilian Rebelo, and Molly Shannon.

"I am so grateful that I have been surrounded by human beings that make me better, challenge me, remind me day after day that every moment is a gift," Selena Gomez says about working with Martin and Short. "That’s my pure joy. I thank god for the era I’m in. It’s been the best yet."

Will there be an Only Murders in the Building season 5?

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Yes, Only Murders in the Building has been renewed for season 5! On September 4, Variety confirmed the next installment will have 10 episodes, just like the seasons before it. The latest season premiered on Hulu August 27, and will last until October 29 (just in time to try out an Only Murders Halloween costume!)

Just like the season 3 ending set up season 4, we'll have to wait for the October finale to figure out what kind of mayhem Mabel, Oliver, and Charles will get into next season. "We hope you like it!" Selena Gomez says in the Only Murders in the Building account's announcement, while Martin Short adds, "How exciting is that?"

"We're so exciting to be coming back," Steve Martin says. We're excited too!!

Check back here for the latest Only Murders in the Building season 5 news and check out the other new TV shows coming in 2025.

This post has been updated.

It Ends With Us drama is seemingly never-ending, from the back-and-forth accusations of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to the multi-million dollar lawsuits. As the feud continues to escalate, the legal situations evolve daily — and now a judge just paused Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against the New York Times. Here's what's happening in this highly complex legal battle, and what it all means for the lawsuit in general.

Scroll to find out what this pause means for Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit...

On January 16, 2025, Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicists, and the New York Times. By January 30, Blake and Ryan quickly filed to dismissthe suit with a single sentence: "The Lively-Reynolds Parties intend to move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint."

According to Deadline, the New York Times also filed its own motion to dismiss the case on February 28, 2025. The media company wrote, "The Wayfarer Parties’ FAC tells a one-sided tale that has garnered plenty of headlines, but The Times does not belong in this dispute."

Now, a judge is seemingly siding with The Times by at least granting a pause on discovery for the lawsuit, according to E! News. Reporting from E! states that a motion was filed to "temporarily halt parties from having to exchange information or documents." Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the motion to pause, explaining that the media outlet has "substantial grounds" and "a strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed on the merits."

Despite the Baldoni team's claims that this new window substantially shortens their time for discovery, Judge Liman maintained that "the burden of discovery is not measured only by the number of pages." And if we know anything about Baldoni's team? It's that they love to release lots and lots and lots of documents.

Judge Liman continued his decision by stating that Baldoni's team will be able to ask for the "extent of discovery" they need if the courts ultimately deny The Times' request. Still, he explained that "The Court intends to address the motion to dismiss promptly after it is fully submitted.”

A spokesperson for the New York Times told E! News, "We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here. The court has stopped Mr. Baldoni from burdening The Times with discovery requests in a case that should never have been brought against."

Looking for more celebrity and entertainment news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

Audiences loved the way Greta Gerwig's Little Women brought all four March sisters to life, and Netflix's Anne with an E became so popular that when the show was canceled after season 3, 1.7 million fans signed a petition to revive the series. It all just proves that classic adaptations can make the original story even more powerful.

And the newest movie based on a book is going to be one we think about forever — and not just because of its cast. Emerald Fennell (who you'll recognize from The Crown and her work as writer & director on Satburn) is adapting Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights and Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are leading the cast!

The book, published in 1847, continues to grip readers, and it's become the blueprint for moody complexity — just like Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman, which won the Oscar for Best Screenplay thanks to its scathing look at sexual assault. Well, the Em's are coming together for this new adaptation.

Here's everything we know about Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights — and your first look at the movie.

Here's Your First Look At 'Wuthering Heights'

The first look at Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights is getting some seriously mixed reactions. The photo features a close-up image of someone (maybe Margot Robbie's) with their fingers and a few blades of grass in their mouth.

"CAN NOT WAIT," one Instagram user said, along with a couple fire emojis. But the intimate (and somewhat shocking) image also has some users asking, "what in the saltburn?"

Is Wuthering Heights going to be in theaters?

Focus Features

It appears director Emerald Fennell and producer Margot Robbie are pushing for a theatrical release, which is why they've reportedly turned down a Netflix offer of $150 million.

Despite the fact Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said theatrical releases are "just not our business," and the company has stuck to at-home streaming instead, they did break that pattern for Knives Out: Glass Onion in 2022. The movie appeared in around 600 theaters the day before Thanksgiving, but left a week later ahead of its December 23 debut on the streamer.

Co-CEO Reed Hastings told The Hollywood Reporter that keeping the movie in theaters could have made Netflix more money, but later said they just wanted to "break through the noise" and get movie lovers excited for the film to come to Netflix.

All that to be said, Margot Robbie (whose Barbie made over $1 billion worldwide) and Emerald Fennell (whose Promising Young Woman nabbed her an Oscar win and two other nominations) know how to capture the imaginations of movie lovers everywhere. And it could definitely be in their favor to stick to a theatrical release. Stay tuned for official news on where you can watch Wuthering Heights!

Who's in the new Wuthering Heights movie?

Frazer Harrison/Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Wuthering Heights Cast

The Wuthering Heights movie will be led by Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie as Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, respectively. Margot will also produce with her production company LuckyChap, which worked behind the scenes on Emerald Fennell's Saltburn and Promising Young Woman.

While some fans were initially excited about the casting, others were concerned about the fact that in the book, Heathcliff is described as "dark skinned." He also tells Nelly that, "I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed, and behaved as well, and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!" Um, it looks like Jacob Elordi definitely has fair skin to me.

"Heathcliff is described as a dark-skinned brown man in the book and a major plot point is that he was subjected to racist abuse by his adopted family," one tweet (which has over 8 million views) says. "But yeah sure Jacob Elordi is perfect!"

Another says, "Film studios will say 'We are committed to diverse casting' and then cast Jacob Elordi to play Heathcliff, one of the more famous people of color in literature, whose race is crucial to both his character and the story."

Check back here to see who will play characters like Edgar Linton, Nelly Dean, Isabella Linton, and Lockwood.

When is Wuthering Heights coming out?

Warner Bros. Pictures

Wuthering Heights Release Date

Wuthering Heights will premiere on February 14, 2026. Happy Valentine's Day!

What is Wuthering Heights about?

Amazon

Wuthering Heights Plot

Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights follows the Earnshaws and the Lintons, who are living in the Yorkshire Moors in the 1880s. Their lives change forever when the Earnshaws take in Heathcliff. Like any good dramatic novel, passion lies beneath proper connections, marriages, and societal expectations — and despite Catherine and Heathcliffe's feelings for each other, they have to choose between security and love.

Check out 16 New Movies Based On Books To Add To Your Watchlist to inspire your next movie night!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Letting more than a decade pass without updates can quickly leave a home feeling outdated. That was the case for this Pasadena home, which remained frozen in the '80s and ’90s — until Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn of the celebrity-loved design firm House of Rolison stepped in to beautifully renovate and reimagine it. Their goal? To lean into the home's French-country architecture and transform the dated and dysfunctional space into a modern, light-filled space with moody vibes, vintage pieces, and luxury materials.

See the before and after of this French-inspired Pasadena renovation!

THE BEFORE

Courtesy of House of Rolison

Prior to the renovation, the home was stuck in the past with a lime green exterior and a late 80s/early 90s design aesthetic, including dated flooring, cramped rooms, wall-to-wall carpeting, bulky kitchen cabinets and granite (granite!) countertops. Drumroll on the after....

THE AFTER

Gavin Cater

I'm in awe of this transformation. Amanda and Taylor enhanced the home’s original features, including the floor-to-ceiling windows, slate roof with beautifully patinated gutters and accents, and kept original lighting fixtures while adding a fresh coat of paint and modern landscaping. Gorgeous!

THE BEFORE: ENTRY AND LIVING ROOM

Courtesy of House of Rolison

Before diving into the renovation, take a look at the original living area and entryway. The space feels not just overdone, but also cold and uninviting. The bulky staircases (plural) dominate the entry, while the divider adds nothing to the warmth or flow of the space. The furniture feels stuck in another era, and that tiny rug? A total eyesore!

THE AFTER: LIVING AREA

Gavin Cater

The entry now is stunning, designed to make a statement with one staircase removed to create a charming seating nook and a more open, inviting flow into the cozy living space. The home now has 20-foot ceilings, an elegant formal living room topped with custom-stained cedar paneling, and a bespoke bar area showcasing beautifully restored red oak cabinetry.

Gavin Cater

Elegant furnishings with modern silhouettes and warm, earthy tones instantly elevate the home's aesthetic. The restored fireplace adds warmth and character to the room, while a well-proportioned rug enhances the cozy, inviting space.

THE BEFORE: KITCHEN

Courtesy of House of Rolison

My eyes! This kitchen is a time capsule of outdated design, from the heavy granite countertops to the awkward circular layout that feels cramped and closed off.

Gavin Cater

"We opened up the kitchen to create a much more spacious and functional layout," says Taylor. "One of the key changes was expanding the kitchen’s visual space by installing double islands to create more prep space and an inviting area for family to gather."

Gavin Cater

They also removed a wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area, which not only opened up the space but also allowed natural light to flood in from both sides of the house. "The wood and paint-grade cabinetry allowed for contrast, and served as the perfect canvas for Calacatta Viola marble and absolute black slabs. The matte black hardware we used throughout the cabinetry and railings added a modern touch," adds Amanda.

Gavin Cater

Amanda and Taylor revamped the '90s kitchen into a chic and design-forward space by adding a moody breakfast nook for the family to gather. Find more banquette inspiration here!

Gavin Cater

Another challenge was optimizing the natural light — some rooms had very little natural light while others had plenty, so they introduced skylights where it was lacking. "We maximized the layout, lighting, and use of space while adding crucial design factors to make the property stand out," says Taylor.

Gavin Cater

Striking a balance between light and dark, the dining room features a rich brown and black palette that enhances its moody, earthy aesthetic while beautifully framing the outdoor views.

Gavin Cater

"The defining highlight for us is how we were able to preserve the home’s original charm while modernizing it to meet the physical and aesthetic needs of a modern family," says Amanda. The design duo kept the architectural integrity intact, but enhanced the functionality and warmth.

Gavin Cater

Taylor and Amanda restored the fireplace to its original brick, "but not how you might think," says Taylor. "We went through multiple processes to come to the final product. First attempting to remove paint, then micro cementing the fireplace, and at the very end we wanted to have the warmth and beauty of used brick. So we had to source used brick to satisfy the color and size needs for our room and proceeded to install."

Gavin Cater

Marble and matte black hardware was also used in the bathrooms, creating a cohesive and luxurious feel throughout the home.

Gavin Cater

"We chose natural materials like warm oak wood, used brick, and natural stones to blend with the moldings and historic feel of the home," says Amanda. The soft goods complement these harder materials with natural linens and vintage style rugs.

Gavin Cater

Touches of nature are woven throughout the home, subtly appearing in the artwork and décor.

Gavin Cater

The adorable kids room is a clean canvas with neutral decor and a rich amber-colored rug.

Gavin Cater

The outdoors is just as stunning. The pair upgraded the pool tile to a cle rust brown tile to modernize and warm up the pool. "We take landscaping our homes very seriously, so when it came to this home we had to go all out," says Amanda. Grass, olive trees, ficus, vines and more create a serene environment for years to come.

Gavin Cater

"The idea was to create a connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape — bringing the outside in," adds Taylor. "The seamless integration of indoor-outdoor living and the design of the kitchen as the heart of the home really stand out."

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more home decor inspiration!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

The Whole Foods hot bar is a buffet of delicious possibilities. It’s truly packed with fresh, flavorful dishes that make grabbing a quick meal feel like a total treat! From perfectly-seasoned roasted veggies to indulgent comfort foods like meatloaf and cornbread, you’re never missing out on good eats when you stop by the Whole Foods hot bar. If you’re wondering which options are worth piling onto your plate, these 10 picks are the best of the best!

Scroll on to discover the 10 best finds at the Whole Foods hot bar for a tasty on-the-go meal!

Kaboompics / PEXELS

1. Rotisserie Chicken

Whole Foods’ rotisserie chicken is a staple you simply need to try. It’s juicy, flavorful, and perfectly-seasoned every single time! Some Whole Foods locations even give you a choice between lemon herb or garlic variations that add delicious depth of flavor. Plus, rotisserie chicken is always versatile – you can eat it on its own, shred it into salads, or pair it with any of the hot bar sides for a balanced, high-protein meal.

Foodie Factor / PEXELS

2. Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup is superior when it comes to comfort food, and Whole Foods’ recipe is no exception! It never fails to be rich, velvety, and packed with the perfect balance of sweetness from the tomatoes and freshness from the basil. It’s a fan-favorite because it pairs beautifully with everything from grilled cheese to pasta.

Public Domain Pictures / PEXELS

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These aren’t the bland, mushy veggies you avoided as a kid. Whole Foods roasts their Brussels sprouts to crispy perfection, oftentimes serving them up with garlic, a balsamic glaze, or some Parmesan cheese! If you’re looking for nutritious, yet flavorful options from the Whole Foods hot bar, you’ve just gotta scoop up some of these sprouts and witness the magic for yourself.

FOX / PEXELS

4. Grilled Salmon

Whole Foods’ grilled salmon is a standout item on the hot bar because of its buttery texture and slightly-smoky char. It pairs exceptionally well with the aforementioned Brussels sprouts or even a grain-based side like quinoa!

Angela Khebou / PEXELS

5. Mac & Cheese

Whole Foods fans go nuts for their Mac & Cheese. It’s nothing but rich, creamy, and of course, loaded with cheese. It’s ooey and gooey, but typically, the top layer boasts a slight crispiness from baking. Yum. It makes the ultimate comfort food for picky kids and hungry adults alike!

Whole Foods

6. Classic Meatloaf

Don't knock meatloaf – especially Whole Foods’ meatloaf from the hot bar. This home-style dish is made with high-quality beef, flavorful seasonings, and a tangy tomato glaze that keeps you going back for more. And more! Shoppers love it so much because it brings back that nostalgia for a hearty, homemade dinner.

Whole Foods

7. Chicken Tikka Masala

This ready-to-eat Tikka Masala is so delicious. The chicken is always tender and absorbs the spicy sauce beautifully, making it a perfect dish when served over basmati rice. It’s a great way to enjoy Indian flavors without having to visit a restaurant (and pay restaurant prices).

Nadja M / PEXELS

8. Fried Rice

Whole Foods’ fried rice can’t be beat. Often made with fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a touch of soy sauce for umami depth, it's a great side to scoop up for lunch or dinner.

Nano Erdozain / PEXELS

9. Baked Ziti

This comforting mix of al dente pasta, rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and ricotta for extra creaminess is one of the best items on Whole Foods’ hot bar. Cheese lovers, make way!

Valeria Boltneva / PEXELS

10. Nashville Hot Chicken

For those who can’t resist a little heat, the Nashville hot chicken at Whole Foods delivers a perfect balance of spice and crunch. Each bite is also slightly-sweet, so you’re going to get a balanced meal every time you stop by.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing grocery finds!