13 Childhood Snacks from the ’80s That Would Horrify Parents Today
The 1980s were a glorious time for snacking. It was a decade when sugar, artificial flavors, and neon-colored treats ruled lunchboxes and after-school cravings.
Back then, nutritional value took a backseat to fun, creativity, and sheer indulgence. Whether it was fizzy candy that crackled in your mouth or cheese-flavored puffs that left your fingers glowing orange, these snacks were legendary.
But in today’s world of organic ingredients, sugar-free alternatives, and health-conscious parenting, some of these once-beloved treats might raise a few eyebrows. From questionable ingredients to dubious health benefits, these snacks were everything but wholesome.
Yet, that’s exactly why we loved them.
1. Pop Rocks
Nothing captured the sheer excitement of 80s snacking like Pop Rocks. The moment these tiny candy crystals hit your tongue, they crackled, fizzed, and popped like tiny firecrackers in your mouth. It was pure sugary science, and kids couldn’t get enough.
Of course, the urban legends made it even more thrilling. The infamous myth that drinking soda while eating Pop Rocks could make your stomach explode had kids both terrified and eager to test the theory. Spoiler alert: no one actually exploded.
These days, parents might worry about the artificial colors and the high sugar content, but back then, Pop Rocks were the ultimate party trick—and a badge of snack-time bravery.
2. Candy Cigarettes
Yes, you read that right. Candy cigarettes were a thing. And not just a thing—they were ridiculously popular. These chalky, sugar-filled sticks even mimicked the look of real cigarettes, complete with red tips to resemble burning embers and a powdered sugar “smoke” effect when you blew on them.
Looking back, it’s baffling that this was considered an appropriate children’s snack. The idea of kids pretending to smoke while munching on sugar seems like a marketing decision from another universe.
Unsurprisingly, today’s parents have zero tolerance for candy that mimics bad habits, but for kids of the 80s, candy cigarettes were just another way to feel grown-up—even if they tasted like sweetened chalk.
3. Jell-O Pudding Pops
Jell-O Pudding Pops were the creamy, dreamy frozen treat that ruled the 80s. These rich, velvety pops came in chocolate, vanilla, and swirled flavors, and they had a texture unlike any other frozen dessert.
They felt fancy, almost like a milkshake on a stick. But while kids adored them, modern parents would probably side-eye the ingredient list, which included a sugar overload and a parade of artificial thickeners.
Despite their questionable nutritional value, Jell-O Pudding Pops are still one of the most-missed treats of the decade—because honestly, they were just that good.
4. Planters Cheez Balls
If your fingers weren’t glowing orange, were you even snacking in the 80s? Planters Cheez Balls were crunchy, addictive, and absurdly artificial, with a flavor that somehow tasted more like “cheese” than actual cheese ever did.
These little spheres of cheese-dusted goodness were impossible to stop eating, but modern parents would likely have a mild heart attack over the artificial colors, preservatives, and sodium levels.
Still, for kids of the 80s, Cheez Balls were the ultimate munchable snack—even if they left an orange residue on everything you touched.
5. Fruit Roll-Ups
Fruit Roll-Ups were basically edible stickers—a thin, chewy, ultra-sticky sheet of sugar and artificial fruit flavoring that kids could stretch, twist, and peel apart before eating.
The idea that they contained actual fruit was highly debatable, but who cared? They were fun to eat, and they made lunchboxes way cooler.
Modern parents, however, would likely sound the alarm on the sugar content, but back in the 80s, we just called it fruit.
6. Twinkies
With their golden sponge cake and creamy center, Twinkies were an iconic lunchbox treat. They were light, fluffy, and dangerously easy to eat—but their mysteriously long shelf life raised some serious questions.
Packed with preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup, Twinkies became the poster child for processed snacks. Despite multiple scares about their potential disappearance, they’ve always managed to make a comeback.
Would parents today approve? Not likely. But Twinkies will probably still be around long after we’re gone.
7. Dunkaroos
Dunkaroos were a masterpiece of 80s snack engineering—tiny cookies paired with a personal tub of frosting for dipping.
The ratio? Pure sugar to even more sugar. It was every kid’s dream and every dentist’s nightmare.
Even though modern parents might prefer healthier snack options, Dunkaroos remain one of the most-missed treats of the 80s.
8. Crispy Critters Cereal
Breakfast in the 80s wasn’t just about starting the day—it was a full-blown sugar fest. Enter Crispy Critters Cereal, the cereal that looked like tiny animals and tasted like pure childhood joy.
Kids loved the playful shapes and the light, crispy crunch, but let’s be honest—this was just another excuse to eat dessert before noon. Packed with sugar, artificial flavors, and colors straight from a chemistry lab, it was more about fun than nutrition.
Parents today would likely opt for something with “whole grains” or “natural sweeteners,” but for 80s kids, Crispy Critters was a breakfast dream come true.
9. Ecto Cooler Hi-C
Long before “organic juice boxes” were a thing, there was Ecto Cooler Hi-C—a radioactive-green citrus drink inspired by Ghostbusters.
This stuff was sweeter than actual candy, packed with artificial colors and enough sugar to fuel a classroom full of kids for hours.
Parents today would probably ban it on sight, but in the 80s, Ecto Cooler was the coolest juice in town.
10. Hostess Pudding Pies
Hostess Pudding Pies were a dessert disguised as a snack, with a flaky crust and a rich, creamy pudding filling. Every bite was pure indulgence, and for 80s kids, it felt like having an entire slice of pie in the palm of your hand.
But let’s be real—these were sugar bombs with questionable preservatives and a shelf life that seemed suspiciously long. Parents today might hesitate before tossing one into a lunchbox, but back then? It was a golden ticket to snack-time bliss.
Even though they’re long gone from store shelves, nostalgia keeps these treats alive in our hearts.
11. Capri Sun
Capri Sun was the drink of choice for 80s kids—mostly because of the novelty of stabbing the pouch with a tiny straw.
The flavors were refreshing but loaded with sugar, making them essentially fruit-flavored sugar water.
Even though today’s parents might go for healthier juice options, Capri Sun still holds a special place in the hearts of 80s kids.
12. Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape
Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape was bubble gum, but make it extreme. Instead of individual pieces, you got six feet of gum in a plastic tape dispenser.
Sure, it was a sugar bomb, and sure, the flavor lasted about thirty seconds, but there was something thrilling about unspooling a ridiculous amount of gum in one go.
Parents today might prefer something less artificial, but Bubble Tape was pure 80s magic.
13. Squeeze Its
Squeeze Its were proof that packaging could make anything exciting. These colorful, sugary drinks came in squeezable plastic bottles, allowing kids to chug their juice with one satisfying squeeze.
Of course, the term “juice” was used loosely—these drinks were more sugar and artificial flavors than anything remotely fruity. The neon colors were a dead giveaway that nature had nothing to do with it.
Would today’s parents approve? Probably not. But for 80s kids, Squeeze Its were the epitome of cool.