There is an undeniable connection between food and memories. The taste, smell, and texture of food trigger feelings and emotions. That is why certain foods also inspire nostalgia because it brings you back to a time when you last enjoyed that particular food and the memories associated with it.
This list of the most popular snacks from the 70s is the best example of how food can remind you of times long gone because of that deep emotional connection.
Which of these popular 70's snacks was your favorite?
1. Jell-O Pudding Pops
The original Jell-O pudding pops are no longer available since the 1990s. However, they were among the most popular snacks from the 70s.
When they were initially released, the Jell-O pudding pops were available in three flavor variants: chocolate, vanilla, and banana. You can also buy them in a variety pack to enjoy all three flavors.
This nostalgic snack was a lunchbox staple for many kids in the 1970s. However, it was discontinued due to the cost of making these frozen treats and insufficient sales to generate profit for the manufacturers.
2. Carnation Breakfast Bars
Carnation breakfast bars were one of the most popular snacks in the 70s. They were introduced in 1975 and promised a sweet and delicious way to get quality nutrition. These bars were particularly popular among kids and teens. In 1994, the breakfast bars were relaunched, but they were discontinued only three years later.
As the name implies, each bar promises a meal replacement, particularly breakfast. The advertising for these products claimed they are rich in protein, minerals, and energy. So even if you missed breakfast, you can still eat this and feel nourished and energized.
3. Danish-Go-Rounds
Danish-Go-Rounds is another one of those famous snacks from the 1970s. These are fruit-filled pastries that have a spiral shape. These snacks are available in different flavors, such as strawberry and cinnamon. They are like pop-tarts, only better.
Kellogg's was the company behind the manufacture of Danish-Go-Rounds. While famous, the design had one flaw: they broke too quickly. Therefore, they were replaced with Danish Rings by 1976. Sadly, those were never as popular, so these snacks were discontinued in the 1980s for good.
4. Reese’s Pieces
In the 1970s, Hershey’s Chocolate developed a technique called panning, which is the process of sugar-coating a product. This method created Reese's Pieces, a peanut meal coated in chocolate. It successfully launched the snack product and was even known as ET's favorite candy. The Hollywood movie feature helped this candy reach tremendous popularity in the market.
5. Kellogg’s Concentrate Cereal
Another popular snack from the 1970s from Kellogg's is Concentrate Cereal. It debuted in the market in 1959 and was promoted as having the greatest concentration of nutrients, thus the name.
It was highly popular even though it was not as sugary as other cereals in the market and was highly nutritious. Kellogg's wanted to create a snack product high in nutrients and low in substances detrimental to human health, such as fats. Despite being popular, this product was discontinued in 1981.
6. Hunt's Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding
The original Hunt’s Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding was introduced into the market in 1977. The famous snack was available in single-use aluminum cans before they used plastic cups in 1984. In 1990, plastic cups were changed into clear plastic cups.
The Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding was targeted at kids as a healthy snack. Several flavors are available, including chocolate fudge, chocolate mud pie, cinnamon roll, chocolate caramel, butterscotch, banana cream pie, s'mores, triple brownie, dulce de leche, and more.
Hunt's continues to manufacture these snacks today, although they have adapted the formula to make the product kosher and gluten-free.
7. Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks got its name from the fact that these were popping candies. The Pop Rocks candies were owned by Zeta Espacial and used ingredients like lactose, sugar, and flavoring. It is not your average hard candy because they lock pressurized carbon dioxide gas inside the candy, creating that small popping sound when it is dissolved.
These candies became very popular in 1975 and were even considered a cultural phenomenon. You can also find them in different flavors, such as Cotton Candy, Blue Jazz, Green Apple, Original Cherry, etc.
8. Cool Whip
Cool Whip is one of the most popular snacks from the 1970s. It was released in the 70s decade and became an instant hit because of its rich and creamy taste. It can be enjoyed on its own but is also used for topping your favorite desserts. It is available in numerous variants, including original, extra creamy, lite, fat-free, French vanilla, and sugar-free.
Many confess to calling it their 'guilty pleasure.' But one thing is for sure, this delicious treat inspires a sense of nostalgia for many.
9. Space Food Sticks
Rounding up this list of the most popular snacks from the 1970s is the Space Food Sticks. It was the coolest snack of the 1970s because Pillsbury was commissioned to design a snack that astronauts could enjoy while confined in a pressurized spacesuit.
The food engineers at Pillsbury developed a snack made of a non-crumbly cake served in slices and does not require refrigeration. Space Food Sticks was patented in the 1970s and became what is known today as energy bars. But, unfortunately, they were taken off the shelf in the 1980s.
Karen Kelly
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Hi, I'm Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food and travel writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find delicious recipes and fun travel ideas.
