When I was a kid, dietary preferences weren’t as scrutinized as they are today. Sure, there was that one family whose home reeked of vitamins and PBS documentaries, but my mom dubbed them “health nuts” and stuck to her routine of serving me four Vienna Fingers alongside a refreshing glass of peach Hi-C. Fast forward to now, and it seems like every food item is labeled gluten-free, organic, or part of some trendy diet. I often find myself nostalgically longing for simpler times when Roman Meal bread and Chewy granola bars were deemed healthy. Before the kale craze and the quinoa takeover, I indulged in some truly delightful (if slightly alarming by today’s standards) foods. Here are ten of the ultimate comfort foods that defined my carefree childhood:
-
French Bread Pizza
The moment Mom retrieved that bright red box from the freezer, we knew it was time to celebrate. All the varieties were tasty, but the one with pepperoni, sausage, and peppers was legendary. My sister and I considered these homemade masterpieces even better than delivery—especially when we added extra mozzarella and a sprinkle of “shaky cheese,” the parmesan in a green can that also topped our Chef Boyardee beef ravioli. -
Ring Dings
Every day, I eagerly opened my lunch bag to find one of these foil-wrapped chocolate treats. Fast forward to now, and I’d likely have to deal with some serious consequences if I indulged in even half a Ring Ding, but back then, I just burned off those calories during recess without a second thought. -
Ramen Noodles
After living on ramen during my broke college years, I swore off these salty packets. However, I recently gave them another shot and was pleasantly surprised. With flavors that can only be described as pure, salty goodness, a handful of frozen peas can make it seem like a health-conscious choice, transporting me back to a simpler time when blood pressure wasn’t a concern. -
Processed American Cheese Food Product
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to when cheese came in a can and didn’t require refrigeration. Cheez Whiz, Velveeta, and Kraft singles created some of the best grilled cheeses, and the nachos dipped in the infamous microwaved queso were a rite of passage. Sure, I’ve had my fair share of artisan cheeses, but sometimes, you just want to squirt a cheesy smiley face on a cracker. -
Magic Shell
How did I forget about this magical concoction? Drizzled atop ice cream, it would harden into a crunchy chocolate shell that left us kids in awe. And yes, they still make it today in various flavors—did you know that the “magic” comes from coconut oil? That makes it practically health food, right? -
Chicken Pot Pie
Please spare me the gourmet versions. A true chicken pot pie comes frozen in a little metal pan, with bright yellow gravy, peas, and those uniform cubes of mysterious poultry. And let’s not forget the crust—it’s all about that flaky goodness. -
Carnation Instant Breakfast
In my opinion, only the chocolate malt flavor deserves a mention. The vanilla and strawberry flavors were promptly tossed aside. Just a sprinkle of Strawberry Quik on vanilla ice cream is another trick worth trying. -
Swanson Turkey Dinner
Who didn’t love the idea of having Thanksgiving dinner in July? My mom would buy these for her girls’ nights out while she danced to Billy Ocean. The turkey dinner, complete with mashed potatoes and a mystery dessert, was a true delight. -
Hostess Fruit Pies
These were reserved for field trip lunches, and while it made no sense, it made those trips way more exciting. Cherry was my favorite, but honestly, I couldn’t turn down any flavor. And let’s not forget those original deep-fried apple pies from McDonald’s—pure heaven! -
Frozen Burritos
If you didn’t follow the cooking instructions to the letter, you’d end up with an unevenly cooked burrito. But the gooey taco-flavored filling made it all worth it, especially topped with that processed salsa con queso.
Our eating habits have changed significantly over the past few decades, and while it’s undoubtedly for the better in terms of health, it’s fun to reminisce about those nostalgic treats and occasionally share them with our kids. I might just surprise my daughter with a chicken pot pie or a French bread pizza night. And yes, there’s a bottle of Magic Shell waiting for those special occasions.
This article also ties in nicely with a recent post on our website about the joys of home cooking and nostalgic foods, which you can check out here. And if you’re looking for at-home insemination kits, be sure to visit Make A Mom, a trusted source for all your needs. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, this Wikipedia page is an excellent resource.
In summary, while our diets may have evolved, the indulgent comfort foods of our youth remain a cherished part of our memories. There’s no harm in reliving those culinary delights every now and then!
Leave a Reply