10 Throwback Foods That Defined Your Childhood

Remember when you were a little kid and could eat anything you want? As in, you didn’t really have to watch your diet because you would burn it all off in five minutes once you stepped on the playground? Sometimes I wish I could still eat like a kid, but I know I can’t anymore. I’m not outside all day anymore, but it won’t stop me from dreaming. Here are the foods we all loved from childhood:

1. Mac and Cheese

Sure we can get the “grown up” mac and cheese from a restaurant, but remember Kraft dinner? I was always so excited when I got to have that blue box for lunch, or a snack. It truly was the best day ever.

2. Grilled Cheese

There is nothing better on a cold day than grilled cheese and tomato soup. I remember staying in on those rainy or snowy days, watching movies, and eating this.

3. Quesadillas

As an adult, I try to make it healthier, put some veggies and meat in it, but remember the original? Just a plain white tortilla with some cheddar cheese. Yes please!

4. Hot Dogs

I can’t remember that last time I had an actual hot dog. I think the only passable version of a hot dog is one that is organic or made of some new-age tofu or something, idek.. I miss those days of a plain hot dog made in water (I hated when it went on the grill) on a plain bun with just ketchup. Oh those days.

5. TV Dinners

These were such a treat! We probably didn’t got them a lot, but they were amazing. Chicken nuggets, apple sauce, and a brownie. Isn’t that what we lived for when we were younger?

6. Go-Gurt

I don’t even know if they make these anymore. But you knew you were the cool kid when you got to have one for snack time. Those cool colors filled with sugar were the best!

7. Lunchables

Let’s not argue about this. The pizza ones were the best! You had all your favorite foods. Pizza, a candy bar, and juice box. There really wasn’t anything else we needed to be happy. I still go to Whole Foods and get my adult version of a lunchable…but it’s hard not to reminisce.

8. Capri Sun

Every time I brought a drink to school, it was a Capri Sun. You had all those flavors to choose from, and you knew you could always count on getting one after every soccer practice as well. If you feel the need to have one now, use one as a mixer in a drink, it actually works pretty well!

9. Jell-O

Jell-O was amazing if you ever got it in your lunch. It was amazing because it was so fun to eat, fun to play with, and all the different colors meant that each day was a new surprise. Although, I don’t ever remember it being served in those perfect cubes like the commercials would show. As adults, if we’re having Jell-O it’s probably in shot form.

10. Sugary Cereal

We had the BEST cereals as kids. Reese’s puffs, cookie crisp, fruit loops, cinnamon toast crunch. I can’t remember the last time I had cereal for breakfast. But if you do, it’s probably a really healthy adult one. BORING.

Are you ready to go back to childhood yet? Go on the swings, or the monkey bars? You should indulge once in a while because we have to adult enough as it is. It’s nice to have a little memory from childhood. From making the list it seems like we were obsessed with colors, sugar, and cheese. I guess this makes sense, and I don’t think much has changed. Happy eating like a kid!

Featured image via “Capri-Diem Capri-Sun” by Leo P. Hidalgo (@yompyz) / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

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