1. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Your grandparents probably enjoyed classic snacks like peanuts or homemade popcorn. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, with their intense artificial flavors and fiery red coloring, might seem downright alien to them. The idea of munching on something that turns your fingers bright red and leaves a lingering burn might not have been their go-to snack choice. Plus, the high levels of salt and artificial additives would probably make them question if it’s even food!
Back in the day, snacks were simpler, often homemade, and definitely less processed. Your grandparents might associate the vibrant red hue with danger rather than deliciousness. And if they knew about the occasional stories of kids ending up in the ER from overindulging, they’d be even more perplexed. Times have certainly changed when it comes to comfort food!
2. Rainbow Bagels
Bagels have been a breakfast staple for generations, but rainbow bagels take this classic to a whole new, technicolor level. The psychedelic swirls of bright colors would probably make your grandparents think twice before taking a bite. Traditionally, bagels were plain, sesame, or poppy seed, reflecting the simple ingredients and techniques used by bakers of the past.
The artificial colors and sugar often added to these bagels might not sit well with their more minimalist, health-conscious approach to eating. They might wonder why anyone would want to eat something that looks more like a toy than a meal. It’s a reflection of how food has become a form of self-expression—and Instagram fodder. What would Bubbe think?
3. Impossible Burgers
Meat substitutes have been around for a while, but a burger that “bleeds” like real meat? That’s something new. The Impossible Burger uses heme, a compound found in both plants and animals, to replicate the juicy experience of beef. To your grandparents, who likely valued straightforward, farm-to-table eating, this engineered patty might feel more like science fiction than supper.
They might also wonder why anyone would want to mimic meat so closely if they’re choosing not to eat it. The concept of creating something that looks and tastes like meat but isn’t might seem overly complicated to them. Back then, if you didn’t want to eat meat, you just didn’t eat meat—no high-tech alternatives needed. It’s a testament to how food technology has evolved!
4. Bacon-Wrapped Everything
Sure, bacon’s always been beloved, but these days, it’s wrapping everything from donuts to turkey legs. This bacon obsession might leave your grandparents puzzled since they might see it as taking something already indulgent and making it borderline excessive. To them, bacon was a breakfast side, not a universal topping.
They might even see this trend as a sign of modern-day decadence, where we’re constantly looking to amplify flavors rather than appreciate them in moderation. Plus, with the health concerns linked to processed meats, they might question why it’s become such a craze. It seems bacon has become more of a cultural icon than just a breakfast staple. And that’s a big leap from their Sunday mornings!
5. Deconstructed Dishes
If you’ve ever seen a “deconstructed” version of a classic dish, you know it’s all about the presentation. But for your grandparents, this trend might come off as just plain confusing. Why would you want a deconstructed cheesecake when you could just have… cheesecake? It might seem like a way of making simple things overly complicated.
Back in the day, food wasn’t meant to be intellectualized—it was meant to be shared and enjoyed. Your grandparents might find it odd to pay more for what seems like less. The idea of breaking down dishes into their basic components might make them long for a good old-fashioned, hearty meal. Sometimes, simple really is better.
6. Kale Chips
Kale might have been something your grandparents grew in their garden, but turning it into chips? That’s new. They’d probably wonder why anyone would want to replace classic potato chips with something so leafy and green. And the taste, let’s be honest, can be an acquired one.
The health craze around kale chips might seem overblown to them, especially if they remember a time when vegetables were just a part of dinner and not a snack or superfood. They might feel like it’s taking a perfectly good vegetable and making it into something it’s not. But then again, they didn’t have food bloggers raving about superfoods back then!
7. Sriracha Everything
Sure, hot sauce isn’t a new thing, but the obsession with Sriracha might raise an eyebrow. Putting this spicy condiment on everything from pizza to ice cream could seem a little extreme. Your grandparents might have enjoyed a bit of heat, but this level of devotion to a single sauce would be surprising.
They might feel like it’s masking the real flavors of food rather than enhancing them. Back in their day, seasoning was meant to complement, not dominate. The bright red bottle has become a cultural icon, but to them, it might feel like too much of a good thing. Spice it up, but maybe not that much!
8. Protein Bars
Protein bars might be a convenient snack, but your grandparents might see them as glorified candy bars. The long list of ingredients, often filled with unpronounceable additives, could be a turnoff. They were used to getting their protein from straightforward sources like meat, dairy, and legumes.
The idea of replacing a meal with a packaged bar might seem more like astronaut food than a balanced diet. They might wonder why we’re always in such a hurry that we can’t sit down for a real meal. It’s a shift in how we think about food and nutrition—fast and functional rather than slow and satisfying. How times change!
9. Edible Cookie Dough
Edible cookie dough has become a craze, but your grandparents might see it as just skipping steps. To them, cookie dough was something you sneaked from the mixing bowl, not something you bought by the scoop. The concern over raw eggs and flour might not have been as prominent when they were baking cookies from scratch.
They’d probably question why you wouldn’t just bake the cookies and enjoy them warm from the oven. It’s a trend that capitalizes on nostalgia, but in a way that might seem unnecessary to an older generation. What’s next—edible cake batter? Some things are better left to baking.
10. Charcoal-Infused Foods
Activated charcoal is popping up in everything from ice cream to lemonade. While it might look intriguing with its jet-black hue, your grandparents might think it looks more like something for the grill than the dinner table. The health claims around it can also be a bit dubious, which might make them skeptical.
They’d likely find the idea of eating something that’s supposed to detoxify you a little odd. After all, food was about nourishment and enjoyment, not cleansing or detoxing. It’s a dramatic shift from their meat-and-potatoes mindset. Sometimes a good meal is all the detox you need!
11. Cotton Candy Grapes
Your grandparents grew up eating grapes that tasted like, well, grapes. The idea of a grape engineered to taste like cotton candy might make them do a double take. These hybrid fruits are a modern marvel, but to an older generation, they might seem like an unnecessary tampering with nature. After all, fruit was supposed to taste fresh and natural, not like a carnival treat.
They might wonder why we can’t just appreciate grapes for what they are instead of making them taste like dessert. The fact that they’re still technically natural might not be enough to win them over. To them, this could be another example of science meddling where it doesn’t need to. Sweet? Sure. But a little suspicious.
12. Unicorn-Themed Everything
Your grandparents may have enjoyed a colorful cake every now and then, but today’s obsession with unicorn-themed food would probably baffle them. Everything from lattes to toast is covered in glitter, swirls, and pastel rainbows. It’s fun to look at, but they might question what all that artificial color is doing in our food. To them, the best-looking dishes were the ones that came straight from the garden or oven.
The idea of eating something that looks like a Lisa Frank notebook come to life might feel excessive. Food trends have definitely taken a turn toward aesthetics over substance. And while they’d appreciate the creativity, they’d probably prefer a homemade apple pie over a neon-colored, galaxy-swirled frappuccino. Some trends just aren’t made to last.
13. Cereal-Flavored Milk
Drinking the milk left at the bottom of a cereal bowl was a normal childhood experience, but selling it as a standalone product? That’s a new one. Brands now bottle and sell cereal-flavored milk as if it’s a gourmet treat, which might make your grandparents shake their heads. To them, that leftover milk was just a side effect of eating breakfast, not something worth marketing.
They might see this as yet another way the food industry repackages and resells things we’ve always had for free. The idea of paying extra for something that used to be a natural part of eating cereal would probably seem silly. It’s another sign of how nostalgia is being turned into a business. And let’s be honest—nothing beats the real thing straight from the bowl!
