25 Random Snacks We Ate in the 1970s & 1980s

by Jacqui Boland

3 years ago

Today our kids not only know how to pronounce quinoa (“KEEN-wah”), but their breakfast often consists of chia seeds mixed with organic raisins. How far we’ve come—we grew up eating processed sugar, bleached flour and food dye disguised as healthful options from the Four Food Groups. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. At least once a year we still mix Pop Rocks with a Coke. Scroll down to take a walk down memory lane with these 1970s and 1980s foods.

Fleischmann's Margarine

"I can't believe it's not butter!" Nope, just ingredients you can't pronounce.

Hi-C's Ecto Cooler

You could watch your fave episodes of The Real Ghostbusters and sip Hi-C's Ecto Cooler in all its glory.

Nerds

You may still have one of these teeny-tiny pebble-like candies stuck in one of your molars today.

Pop Rocks

Pop Rocks might just be one of the few candies that have made a comeback.

https://twitter.com/Drawmark/status/1368585526790352896?s=20&t=F5m3Aa3O5142EzfyURZfcA

Beech-Nut Gum: Yipes! Stripes!

Dinky Donuts Cereal

Did you write a letter to Ralston Cereal to enter to win the Atari video game?

Ding Dongs

Ring Dings or Ding Dongs? Depends on which coast you lived on.

Swanson Frozen Dinner

A turkey dinner and a new episode of the Brady Bunch starring Davy Jones. Heaven.

Wonder Bread

The best thing since sliced...wait a minute.

Kool-Aid

Yup, we drank the Kool-Aid.

Hawaiian Punch

Contains 5% REAL FRUIT JUICE!

Tab, the Un-Cola

For those who want to keep "tabs" on their weight.

WHO REMEMBERS WHEN TWINKIES CAME IN THESE BOXES?

Don’t forget to check out THE BIGGEST 1980s Website on the ENTIRE PLANET:https://t.co/Eqikq9f9mD @Hostess_Snacks #Twinkies #Summer #Cake #Snacks #Snack #Tasty #Yummy #Yum #Nom #OldSchool #OldSkool #1980s #80s pic.twitter.com/mLpNMg4pXS
— 80sThen80sNow (@80sThen80sNow) June 21, 2019

Twinkies

Way before they were deep-fried or used as a murder defense, they were the perfect addition to your Bionic Woman lunchbox.

Quisp Cereal

Which cereal was better, Quisp or Quake?

Hunt's Snack Pack

Not quite a good as the brand Bill Cosby was hawking.

Dolly Madison Fruit Pie

Peppermint Patty wouldn't lie, that's real fruit filling.

Devil Dogs

Did you ever stick them in the freezer?

Koogle

Chocolate Peanut Spread, a Nutella predecessor?

#tbt to Fonzies, formerly "Twisties," which are still sold in Italy under the name Fonzies. 🤔Want more #cheese snacks? Check our all our puffs & extruded content here: https://t.co/bnaIKLNtQE pic.twitter.com/EKETe4NgZL
— SF&WB (@SFWB) January 18, 2018

Fonzies

When your product doesn't sell (Twisties), rename it after a popular TV character!

🧀1980 Retro Ad:
— Nabisco’s Snack Mate Cheese Spread pic.twitter.com/bNADBA4AFh
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) December 29, 2018

Snack Mate Cheese Spread

A new food group category unto itself.

🍫1984 Retro Candy:
— Willy Wonka’s Oompas pic.twitter.com/C0VpA4XUkG
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) February 17, 2020

Wonka's Oompas Candy

If you lived in the UK, you enjoyed them with flavors of jam doughnut, snozzberry, popcorn, caterpillar and mashed potato!

https://twitter.com/Bergquistinc/status/1159809408114810880?s=20&t=F5m3Aa3O5142EzfyURZfcA

Carnation Breakfast bar

Behold, the grandfather of the "bar" phenomenon!

Fanta Soda

"Flavoured Beverage" just about sums it up.

BooBerry Cereal

The 1980s ushered in a new segment of monster-themed foods. Count Choc-ula, anyone?

Bubble Yum

Was it really spider eggs that made the gum so soft?

—Jacqui B

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