From Coveted to Affordable
As kids, you couldn’t help but envy the lunches of your peers. Or perhaps there were certain treats at the grocery checkout you always wanted but could never have. These snacks were often reserved for special occasions only, making them special in your mind. Now as an adult, it’s clear that some of the food you grew up idolizing was never that special.
1. Ferro Rocher
As kids, many of us were fooled into thinking Ferrero Rocher was as exclusive as chocolate got. In reality, it wasn’t much more expensive than other chocolate bars. Perhaps it was the gold-tinted foil or the fact that it was a common Christmas and birthday gift.
2. Pizza
Pizza was a treat for many kids growing up. It was the ultimate food item that children always wanted, whether it was a special occasion or a regular Tuesday. The fact that pizza was reserved for parties or as a good-behavior reward made it all the more enticing.
3. Lunchables
Many children couldn’t help but envy their peers' Lunchable lunches. While the food was unhealthy, ultra-processed, and kind of bland, the marketing convinced kids otherwise. From the fun cracker stacker concepts to the desirable pizza Lunchables, there was a lot to choose from.
4. Branded Soda
As kids, there was nothing cooler than a can of Coke or Sprite. Many children thought you’d have to be pretty lucky to get soda at lunch, with most settling for milk cartons or Kool-Aid pouches. In reality, parents likely avoided soda due to the health connotations.
5. Kinder Surprise Eggs
Kinder eggs were a two-in-one treat. Not only did you get that delectable creamy chocolate, but there was a fun toy inside. Most kids would stop at the checkout aisle and plead with their parents to no avail. As adults, this is something we often skip.
6. Fancy Crackers
Branded crackers like Ritz or health alternatives like Triscuit were all the rage growing up. Many kids were eager to trade their boring Goldfish crackers in for some luxurious Ritz at the drop of a hat.
Muhammed A. Mustapha on Unsplash
7. Fondue
Most kids never got to have fondue growing up, but they probably heard the word thrown around or saw it on television. The concept was simply intriguing, and many children immediately assumed it was something reserved for fancy people. As adults, we realize it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
8. Buffets
Buffets are a common pick when it comes to planning a family outing, but the sheer amount of food plus the cool décor had many children fooled into thinking it was the epitome of fine dining. As adults, we now see buffets as the perfect budget choice for celebration meals.
9. After Eight Chocolates
Mint wasn’t exactly known as a favorite flavor for most kids, but the luxurious and elegant packaging of After Eight chocolates had plenty of children fooled. They considered it a chocolate for adults and would try to sneak a bite out of their parents' pantries. Surprisingly, many adults do love this brand.
10. Ratatouille
Plenty of children missed the point of ratatouille being a peasant dish and considered it the quintessential luxury eating experience. The fact that few kids have ever encountered the dish made it all the more coveted. If you were ever lucky enough to try it as an adult, you’d realize there probably are better meals out there.
11. Pudding Cups
There was nothing like pulling up to the school lunch table and watching as someone pulled out a tantalizing chocolate or vanilla pudding cup. Let’s not even get started on the rice-pudding variants, which were all the rage. For some reason, there were only so many of these coveted cups to go around.
12. French Toast
Perhaps it’s because it has the word “French” in the name, but this toast variant seemed like something only wealthy people had for breakfast. After all, mom or dad rarely made the delicacy, and when they did, you knew you were in for a good time. Nowadays, you realize it’s a pretty easy recipe to follow, although time-consuming.
Illumination Marketing on Unsplash
13. Fruit in Cereal
Most kids, despite their income level, grew up eating cereal. It was a staple childhood breakfast. However, all the cereal ads and images would make you think you were supposed to eat it with slices of bananas or strawberries or other fruits mixed in. Since few kids ever got it served this way, they assumed it was reserved for the wealthiest.
14. Haribo Gummy Bears
Gummy bears in general were a special treat that were hard to come by, and the Haribo brand was the most popular. As children, the memory of going to the gas station with your folks and wanting a pack only to get denied is all too distinct.
15. TV Dinners
While now we know that TV dinners are an affordable meal alternative, as kids, we would think it a great experience. Not only do you get a main dish and some sides, but you get to enjoy them in front of the TV. Talk about a win-win.
16. Cheese and Crackers with Red Spatulas
Some kids may remember those cheese and cracker snack packs that came with the tiny red spatulas, allowing you to spread the cheese over the biscuit before biting in. They seemed too cool, but it appeared as if only a few select kids ever had them.
17. KitKats
Branded snacks, especially chocolates, were all the rage, but the most coveted of them all was undoubtedly KitKat. The packaging with the bright red was very noticeable, and the familiar crack of them breaking into two was enough to get one mouth-watering. Nowadays, you can easily grab one yourself at the checkout line.
18. Dried Seaweed
This snack seemed almost exotic, but nowadays it’s quite easy to find at your local Asian market. However, kids that brought dried seaweed to school were definitely seen as a league above to be able to get their hands on something supposedly rare.
19. KFC
When it comes down to it, the one thing most school-aged kids wanted to eat was fast food. Burgers and fries, especially from staples like KFC and McDonald's, were the all-time favorites. Kids that showed up with fast food containers were on a different level.
Spencer Scott Pugh on Unsplash
20. Applesauce
If pudding cups weren’t fancy enough, the real rich kids came to school with applesauce. In reality, applesauce is as expensive as any other cup-snack at the grocery store, but since most kids wouldn’t eat it, they’d be pleasantly surprised whenever they caught a whiff of that fruity goodness.
KEEP ON READING
20 Foods That Help You Burn Belly Fat
20 Foods That Help Lower Your Blood Sugar Levels
