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Gone But Not Forgotten: Discontinued Foods We Still Crave
Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the snacks and treats of your childhood? For those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, the memories are often filled with a unique blend of quirky flavors, unusual packaging, and questionable nutritional value. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of these discontinued food favorites.
Blast Off with Space Food Sticks: These weren’t just snacks; they were a taste of the future! Developed by Pillsbury for the U.S. space program, these chewy sticks in chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel made every kid feel like an astronaut.
Magic in a Mug: Mug-O-Lunch: Betty Crocker introduced the world to the convenience of hot meals in a mug back in 1976. While microwaveable meals are commonplace today, the original Mug-O-Lunch held a certain magic.
Reggie! Bar: A Home Run of a Candy Bar: Yankees legend Reggie Jackson inspired this candy bar featuring milk chocolate, peanuts, and caramel. While its lifespan was relatively short, its place in baseball and candy history remains.
TV Dinner Time: Swanson TV Dinners: A quintessential 70s experience, the foil-encased Swanson TV dinner was a Friday night staple. From the perfectly compartmentalized turkey and fried chicken to the sometimes-questionable fruit cobbler, these dinners hold a special place in many hearts.
Baron Von Redberry: Der Berry Goodest Cereal: This General Mills cereal featured a WWI German pilot mascot and berry-flavored oat cereal with marshmallows. Its rivalry with Sir Grapefellow added to its charm.
They’re GR-R-REAT!: Fruit Brute Cereal: Another sugary cereal from the 70s, Fruit Brute featured a werewolf mascot and “fruit flavor frosted cereal + marshmallow bits.” Its occasional reappearances have kept the legend alive.
The Marathon Bar: A Test of Endurance: This long, braided caramel and chocolate bar was a 70s favorite. Its unique shape and Old West marketing made it a memorable treat.
Ecto Cooler: A Ghostly Delight: This bright green Hi-C drink, featuring Slimer from “Ghostbusters,” was a huge hit. While its return was short-lived, dedicated fans have even discovered ways to recreate it at home.
Magic Middles: A Cookie with a Secret: Keebler’s Fudge Magic Middles, with their shortbread cookie and creamy filling, are still fondly remembered. Rumors of a return continue to tantalize fans.
Fruit Wrinkles: A Chewy Treat: These bite-sized fruit snacks were a lunchbox staple in the 80s. While Fruit Roll-Ups ultimately won the popularity contest, Fruit Wrinkles still hold a special place in many hearts.
A Cool Treat: Jell-O Pudding Pops: The creamy texture of pudding combined with the coolness of a popsicle made these a frozen treat favorite. Though discontinued, the nostalgia remains strong.
Bar None: Taming the Chocolate Beasty: This layered chocolate bar with wafers, chocolate cream, peanuts, and milk chocolate made a valiant effort to compete with Twix. Its recent re-release brought back fond memories for many.
Swiss Cheese Crackers: A Hole-y Snack: These uniquely shaped crackers may not have captured America’s hearts, but they’re still available in Canada.
Danka: A Continental Breakfast Treat: These toaster pastries from the 70s offered a touch of European flair to breakfast time.
PB Max: Ahead of Its Time: This peanut butter, chocolate, and oat cookie was a precursor to today’s energy bars. Its combination of flavors and textures was truly innovative.
Koogle: The Peanut Butter Spread of Champions: This 70s peanut butter spread, including a chocolate version, was a popular choice before peanut allergies became widespread.
Aspen Soda: A Crisp and Refreshing Apple Treat: This PepsiCo apple soda was a refreshing alternative to traditional colas. Though rebranded and eventually discontinued, its crisp apple flavor is still remembered.
Hostess Chocodiles: A Bite-Sized Delight: These chocolate-covered Twinkies were a cult classic in the 80s. Their reptilian mascot and catchy slogan added to their appeal.
Nabisco Cheese Tid-Bit: A Cheesy Classic: While Goldfish and Cheez-Its have taken over the cheesy cracker market, Cheese Tid-Bits (or Cheese Bits in Canada) still hold a special place in the hearts of many.
Nintendo Cereal System: A Gamer’s Delight: This colorful cereal, featuring Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, was a short-lived but memorable treat for gamers.
Banana Frosted Flakes: A Controversial Combination: While regular Frosted Flakes remain a breakfast staple, the banana-flavored version proved to be a bit too much for some.
Hickory Farms Chocolate Bars: A Mall Staple: These flavored chocolate bars were a common sight at Hickory Farms stores in malls across America during the 70s.
Dinky Donuts Cereal: A Breakfast of Champions (in Suits): This early 80s cereal featured kids in suits giving “expert” opinions on the donut-shaped cereal. It’s another discontinued cereal that many wish would make a comeback.
Oreo Big Stuf: A Giant Treat: This oversized Oreo cookie was a dream come true for kids in the 80s. A precursor to the Mega Stuf, the Big Stuf provided a satisfyingly large dose of Oreo goodness.