20 Iconic Snack Foods from the ’90s That Would Be Banned for Unhealthy Ingredients Today
The ‘90s were not just the most iconic era of pop culture but also of snack foods that filled lunchboxes, fueled after-school cravings, and defined childhoods. From sugary treats to savory delights, many of these beloved snacks are now viewed through a rose-tinted lens of nostalgia. However, looking back, it’s clear that some of these products contained ingredients that would be banned for being unhealthy. Here are 20 iconic ’90s snack foods that would likely face scrutiny or banning today due to their unhealthy ingredients.
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Fruitopia
Coca-Cola introduced Fruitopia, a fruit-flavored beverage, in the ‘90s as a healthy alternative to traditional soft drinks. The ‘90s saw many iconic drinks, but none came close to the classic Fruitopia. However, it contained high fructose corn syrup, a lot of sugar, and artificial flavors, leading to questions about its nutritional value.
Butterfinger BBs
Butterfinger BBs were bite-sized versions of the classic Butterfinger candy bar, featuring a crispy peanut butter center coated in chocolate. While delicious, they are one of those snacks that we are better off without. They were loaded with 28 grams of sugar, hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors, making them a far cry from a nutritious snack.
Oreos
Although famous as a go-to snack worldwide, their recipe has not been the healthiest over decades. They were initially made with lard, and while they did eventually phase that out, they instead turned to canola and palm oil. While they’re more nutritionally sound than lard, they can still cause cholesterol levels to rise. They also contain high fructose corn syrup. So, it’s important to remember that they are to be eaten only as a dessert in moderation.
Flintstones Push-up Pops
While it’s no secret that candies and popsicles lack nutritional content, ice pops made from pure sugar aren’t very healthy either. Though not very high in calories, they still have high sugar content. Push-up Pops were cylindrical candy lollipops that could be pushed up from the bottom of the tube for easy eating. While marketed as a fun and portable treat, they were full of sugar, artificial flavors, and little nutritional value.
Squeeze-its
Squeeze-its were brightly colored fruit-flavored drinks packaged in plastic bottles that could be squeezed to dispense the liquid. While they were a hit with the kids in the ’90s because of their funky packaging, they contained high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients, raising concerns about their impact on children’s health. Today, it would take a lot of work to convince parents that this is a good option for their children.
Fruit Roll-ups
Fruit Roll-Ups were the reason for all the buzz around lunchboxes back in the day, touted as a fruity snack made with natural fruit. However, having the word fruit in your name doesn’t necessarily make you healthy. They were primarily composed of sugar, corn syrup, and artificial colors and flavors, with minimal fruit content, making them a far cry from a healthy snack.
Surge Soda
Surge was a citrus-flavored soda introduced by Coca-Cola in the late ’90s to compete with Mountain Dew. It was notorious for its high caffeine content and whopping 56 grams of sugar per 16-ounce can, making it a prime candidate for scrutiny in today’s world as it helped surge many health concerns among people. With the kind of outrage we are seeing against unhealthy drinks, Surge would have made it to the top of that list.
Dunkaroos
These beloved snack packs consisted of cookies shaped like kangaroos and sweet, creamy frosting for dipping. However, the frosting was loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients, making it a perfect treat for the eyes but sadly not for the stomach. This snack pack would hop right out of school lunches now.
Lunchables
Their convenient, pre-packaged meals revolutionized school lunches in the ’90s. However, these kits often contained highly-processed meats, cheeses, and crackers, along with sugary desserts, leading to concerns about their nutritional value and contribution to childhood obesity.
Gushers
Gushers were bite-sized fruit snacks with a liquid center that “gushed” when bitten into. While marketed as a fun and fruity treat, each bite was filled with calories as they were loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients, earning them a spot on the list of snacks with questionable nutritional value.
Hi-C Ecto Cooler
This green-colored citrus drink was a tie-in with the Ghostbusters franchise and a favorite among ’90s kids. However, it contained high amounts of sugar and artificial colors, making it a beverage that would likely face scrutiny from health experts today. They were the “something wrong” in the neighborhood.
Surgeon General’s Warning Gum
This novelty gum featured a miniature pack with a tiny Surgeon General’s warning printed on it, mimicking the warnings found on cigarette packs. While it was meant to be a humorous novelty item, it may have inadvertently trivialized the severe health risks associated with smoking.
Capri Suns
It’s a crime not to mention Capri Sun while talking about the ‘90s. Capri Sun pouches were a lunchbox favorite, marketed as a convenient and refreshing drink option. However, they often contained high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, raising concerns about their impact on children’s health and well-being. Any 90s kid who takes a sip of Capri Sun today would be shocked at how much sugar they consumed as kids.
Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks were a fizzy, popping candy sensation in the ’90s. Their ingredients included sugar, artificial flavors, and a mysterious popping agent that caused them to fizz and crackle in the mouth. While they were undeniably fun, they were far from nutritious. These rocks are still suitable for the occasional buzz in your mouth, but they wouldn’t be a regular option for kids.
Bugles
Bugles were cone-shaped corn snacks popular for their crunchy texture and savory flavor. However, taste and nutrition don’t always go hand in hand, as they were typically fried in unhealthy oils and seasoned with artificial flavors and preservatives, making them a less-than-ideal choice for health-conscious consumers.
SnackWell’s Cookies
SnackWell’s became popular in the ’90s as a healthier alternative to traditional cookies, marketed as low-fat and low-calorie options. However, they often contained high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients to compensate for the reduced fat content, leading to questions about their nutritional value.
Crystal Pepsi
Crystal Pepsi was a clear cola introduced by PepsiCo in the early ’90s, marketed as a caffeine-free alternative to traditional colas. However, it still contained high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients, leading to concerns about its impact on consumers’ health. It’s no wonder that companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are concentrating on healthy drinks and juices.
Fruit By Foot
Fruit by the Foot was a long, thin snack that could be unwrapped and eaten like a roll-up. While it was marketed as a fun and fruity treat, it was primarily composed of sugar, corn syrup, and artificial colors and flavors, with minimal fruit content. Again, this proves the point that just because something has fruit in its name doesn’t necessarily make it healthy.
Planters Cheez Balls
Planters Cheez Balls were spherical cheese-flavored snacks popular in the ’90s for their addictive flavor and crunchy texture. They served as comfort food for an entire generation. However, they were typically made with processed cheese powder and unhealthy oils, making them a non-ideal choice for health-conscious people today.
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