Is it just me, or does some junk food feel like it’s been out forever ? Even the ones that weren’t a thing until after I was born feel like they’ve always existed.
But of course, they had to start somewhere . That’s why we’ve compiled a list of different kinds of junk food and exactly how old they are. But the real question is: will they make you feel old?
SweeTarts
Fun fact: SweeTarts are my favorite candy to ever exist. Even more fun fact: they’ve been around since 1963 .
I won’t forgive them for retiring orange flavor, though. But hey, at least we still have purple.
Sour Patch Kids
Sour Patch Kids as we know them have been around since 1985 , but they actually date back to the ’70s. Back then they were called Mars Men. Weird.
The McFlurry
Despite the fact that McDonald’s itself has been around since the ’50s, they only debuted the McFlurry in 1997 .
Of course, you have to hope your local joint’s McFlurry machine isn’t broken…
Cup Noodles
Surviving off instant ramen seems like a time-honored tradition, which is why it’s so hard to believe we’ve only been enjoying the stuff since the 1970s. Cup Noodles reached the shelves starting in 1971 , and have been sustaining youth ever since.
Twix
Funny enough, Twix is one of those candy bar brands that doesn’t seem like it would be that old. But they made their debut back in 1967 , which means they’re a lot older than they seem.
Pop-Tarts
Who doesn’t love a good Pop-Tart every now and then? No matter if your a little kid, a college kid, or you’re as old as Pop-Tarts themselves, which debuted in 1964 , you probably crave ’em every so often.
Doritos
These days, Doritos go hand-in hand with watching sports and playing video games. But when they first appeared in 1964 , they were only found in Disneyland. It took a few years before the rest of the country (and world) got a taste.
Chicken McNuggets
Even though the McNugget is part of McDonald’s core menu today, it wasn’t a thing until the ’80s, first appearing in 1981 .
I, for one, can’t imagine a world without McNuggets.
Fruit by the Foot
If you were a kid in the ’90s (or the 2000s), then you probably remember trading Fruit by the Foot on the playground for other snacks. It’s hard to believe that, since it hit shelves in 1992 , it’s 30 now.
Red Bull
Red Bull has been giving people wings since 1987 . Kind of hard to believe it’s that old, and yet not that hard to believe in the slightest.
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Pringles
Since its debut in 1968 , Pringles has had several logo changes (including one pretty recently). But I hope the stackable chips themselves never change.
Starbursts
Starburst candies have been around since 1960 , making them 62 years old as of 2022. I wonder if people thought the pink ones were the best ones back then, too.
DunkAroos
Unless you live in Canada, there was a period of about eight years where you couldn’t get these ’90s snacks (which have officially been around since 1990 ). Luckily, they’re back, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Cinnamon Toast Crunch is, like, objectively the best cereal out there. It first hit shelves in 1984 , making it… not really that old.
Funyuns
I have to admit, this is probably the one snack on this list I haven’t tried. And since they’ve been around since 1969 , it’s not like I never had the chance.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
I’m going to go out on a limb and say, if you’re reading this, you aren’t nearly as old as Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, which have been around since 1928 . If you’re reading this and you’re in fact older than that, congrats!
Cheetos
Cheetos have been around for over 70 years now, first coming onto the scene in 1948 . Flamin’ Hot Cheetos , on the other hand, have only been around since 1992.
Lunchables
Lunchables were one of my favorite things to have for lunch as a kid. And it looks like it’s been a lunch staple for a few generations now, debuting in 1984 .
Lay’s Chips
When it comes to potato chips, Lay’s kind of has the market. It’s wild to think that they’ve had a hold on us for over 80 years, since they first hit the shelves in 1940 !
Nutella
Nutella may very well be one of the best things you can put on your toast, or eat by the spoonfuls (not that I’ve ever done that…). It’s hard to believe that 58 years ago, in 1964 , this chocolate hazelnut spread was introduced to the world.
