13 Childhood Snacks from the ’70s That Would Be Questionable Today

The 1970s were an era of bold flavors, eye-catching packaging, and snacks that felt like pure magic to kids. Whether they fizzed, changed colors, or came with playful mascots, these treats were the ultimate indulgence.

However, looking back, many of these nostalgic snacks wouldn’t exactly win over today’s health-conscious consumers. From sky-high sugar content to questionable ingredients, these childhood favorites would likely be met with skepticism in modern grocery aisles.

1. Pop Rocks

No snack in the ‘70s felt quite as thrilling as Pop Rocks. The tiny, crackling candy exploded on the tongue, creating a sensation that was both exciting and slightly alarming.

Despite their popularity, Pop Rocks became the subject of one of the most infamous urban legends—that mixing them with soda could cause a stomach explosion. Though the rumor was debunked, modern concerns focus more on the excess sugar, artificial flavors, and food dyes packed into each packet.

While Pop Rocks still exist, they’re more of a nostalgic treat than a childhood staple. In today’s world of organic snacks and natural sweeteners, they’re a rare indulgence rather than an everyday candy.

2. Candy Cigarettes

A candy that encouraged kids to pretend they were smoking? Yikes. In the 1970s, candy cigarettes were a common sight in playgrounds, allowing children to mimic adult habits with a sugary substitute.

While they were just harmless sugar sticks, the message they sent was far from innocent. As anti-smoking campaigns gained momentum, people realized that normalizing smoking, even in candy form, was problematic.

Fast forward to today, and candy cigarettes are largely banned in many places. Let’s just say that marketing cigarettes—real or fake—to kids didn’t age well.

3. Space Food Sticks

Eating like an astronaut sounded like the coolest thing ever in the ‘70s. Space Food Sticks, inspired by NASA’s space rations, promised kids a taste of intergalactic adventure.

While they certainly fueled imaginations, they weren’t exactly packed with nutritional value. With a high sugar content and a texture that resembled something between a protein bar and soft taffy, these sticks wouldn’t stand a chance against today’s focus on whole foods and natural ingredients.

While the nostalgia remains, today’s parents would likely opt for protein bars made with real ingredients rather than these space-age sugar logs.

4. Jell-O 1-2-3

Jell-O was already a childhood favorite, but Jell-O 1-2-3 took things to a whole new level. With just one mix, the dessert magically separated into three layers: a creamy top, a mousse-like middle, and classic gelatin on the bottom.

Sounds fun, right? Well, the magic came from a heavy dose of artificial flavors, colors, and stabilizers. While the layered effect was impressive, today’s consumers are far more skeptical of overly processed foods filled with unpronounceable ingredients.

While Jell-O itself has endured, Jell-O 1-2-3 didn’t make the cut in today’s clean-eating era.

5. Fizzies

Before energy drinks and flavored seltzers, kids got their fizzy fix with Fizzies. These flavored tablets turned ordinary water into a bubbling, soda-like drink.

But what made them fizz? A whole lot of artificial ingredients. The sugar, artificial colors, and questionable sweeteners packed into these tablets wouldn’t fly in today’s beverage industry, which leans towards naturally flavored sparkling water.

While Fizzies made a brief comeback, they ultimately couldn’t compete with today’s demand for natural, low-sugar drinks.

6. Crispy Critters Cereal

A cereal filled with adorable animal-shaped pieces sounds like a kid’s dream breakfast. In the ‘70s, Crispy Critters promised a fun and crunchy start to the day.

But like many cereals of its time, it was basically a bowl of sugar masquerading as breakfast. The colorful, highly processed ingredients wouldn’t stand a chance against today’s demand for whole grains and lower sugar content.

Modern parents prefer cereals that offer fiber, protein, and actual nutrients—something that Crispy Critters wasn’t exactly known for.

7. Koogle Peanut Spread

Peanut butter is a childhood classic, but Koogle took things to the next level with flavors like chocolate, banana, and vanilla.

Sounds delicious, but it was loaded with sugar and artificial flavors—far from the protein-packed, all-natural nut butters that are popular today.

These days, parents opt for natural peanut butters made with just peanuts and a pinch of salt, making Koogle a relic of a sweeter (but less health-conscious) time.

8. Marathon Bar

The Marathon Bar was a braided caramel-and-chocolate delight that lasted forever—literally. Designed to be extra chewy, it was marketed as the candy bar that would take a while to eat.

But with its sky-high sugar content and lack of nutritional value, it wouldn’t make the cut in today’s world of protein bars and portion control.

Though many still miss its one-of-a-kind texture, modern snackers are looking for more than just an extra-long sugar rush.

9. Carnation Breakfast Bars

In the ‘70s, Carnation Breakfast Bars were advertised as a healthy on-the-go meal. The reality? They were basically glorified candy bars with a sprinkle of vitamins.

With an ingredient list packed with sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives, they wouldn’t stand up to today’s standards for a balanced breakfast.

These days, consumers want breakfast bars made with whole grains, nuts, and real fruit—not a sugar bomb disguised as health food.

10. Wacky Packages

Wacky Packages were stickers that humorously parodied popular food brands—each pack coming with a piece of gum.

The problem? The gum was chalky, stale, and pretty terrible. In today’s world of premium chewing gums and sugar-free options, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

The stickers were the real appeal, but the gum? Let’s just say, no one’s asking for a Wacky Packages comeback.

11. Bugles

Bugles weren’t just a snack; they were tiny, crunchy finger hats that made snack time extra fun.

However, with their high sodium content and processed ingredients, they don’t quite fit into today’s healthy snack landscape.

While Bugles still exist, they’re more of a nostalgic guilty pleasure than a go-to choice for health-conscious snackers.

12. Funny Face Drink Mix

Funny Face Drink Mix was Kool-Aid’s lesser-known but equally sugary competitor. With wacky character mascots and neon colors, it was a hit with kids.

But like many powdered drink mixes, it was loaded with artificial dyes and sweeteners—two things that today’s parents try to avoid.

Now, the trend is toward naturally flavored drinks, infused waters, and real fruit juices, leaving Funny Face behind as a sugary relic of the past.

13. Fruit Brute Cereal

While Count Chocula and Franken Berry stood the test of time, Fruit Brute didn’t quite make the cut.

This marshmallow-filled fruity cereal was fun but loaded with sugar, artificial colors, and little nutritional value.

With today’s focus on whole grains and natural ingredients, it’s no surprise that Fruit Brute was left behind.