The 1990s were a wild time for food. In this decade, we’ve seen bold experimentations and questionable nutrition. Still, they’re pure marketing genius! Yet, what makes them interesting is not their oddness, but the new concepts they introduced that we’re still consuming today. From lava lamp drinks to TV dinners, we’re bringing you the 11 odd foods from the ’90s to reminisce about.
11. Orbitz
Remember the drink that looked like a lava lamp? That’s the Orbitz for you, which was popular for its suspended gelatinous balls that floated like a lava lamp. Those who were lucky enough to try them described the taste as syrupy and medicinal, which was assumed to be their downfall. With the popularity of bubble tea today, it would likely be a hit once it’s reformulated.
10. Viennetta
Back in the ’90s, there used to be a dessert that made you feel like you were dining in a fancy restaurant. That’s Viennetta, which features an elegant wave of ice cream layered with crackly chocolate. It was the go-to dessert made for special occasions. The flavors featured are chocolate, mint, and salted caramel, among others.
9. Bug Pops
Nothing says “90s kid” quite like Bug Pops! There were these Nestlé specials to promote The Lion King spinoff show “Timon and Pumbaa.” The pops were available in cherry and grape flavors with an orange center. The best part? They were filled with bugs made out of gummy, of course. But on the other side, there were also real Bug Pops that contain actual insects inside, like crickets and ants.
8. Squeezits
Remember when you used to squeeze sugary liquid in your mouth? That’s Squeezeit for you, wherein the simple act of squeezing brings you a fruit-flavored juice that comes in cherry, grape, and strawberry, among others. There are also special editions, such as mystery flavors in black bottles and pellets, which can change the color of the drink. The more artificial, the better!
7. Themed Restaurants
In the ’90s, themed restaurants like Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, and ESPN Zone were extremely popular. It was the golden age of themed restaurants, where the ambiance was just as important as the food. But there were always issues with them charging high prices for mediocre food that tasted unappetizing. Still, we can’t deny the memorable experience of this experimental dining trend.
6. Kid Cuisine
We will always remember Kid Cuisine for its iconic penguin mascot and a tray of kid-friendly foods that were a ’90s dinnertime staple. It features a tray of frozen meal varieties, including chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and corn dogs. However, it wasn’t actually a nutritious option for dinner, which is why it’s frowned upon by some parents.
5. Food Dyes
Those vibrant, colorful snacks of the ’90s weren’t what they seemed to be. Why? They’re often packed with synthetic food dyes. Yup, we’re talking about green ketchup or those sugary candies with bright red colors. Many of those dyes were linked to a range of health concerns, especially in children. It’s odd to think about why they were allowed in snacks in the first place.
4. Crystal Pepsi
In the ’90s, there was the Crystal Pepsi soda option. It’s a caffeine-free drink of the iconic soda, which seems to have a futuristic concept, but it flopped. It’s actually a marketing war between Coca-Cola, which launched the Tab Clear to sabotage the brand. Well, regardless of what was going on between the two, it didn’t last that long. But in some miracle, the Crystal Pepsi made a comeback in 2022.
3. Lunchables
Lunchables were those little yellow boxes you used to unbox in the cafeteria. It was a pre-packaged food kit variety of crackers, nachos, and dunkables. However, it was found to have a concerning amount of lead, cadmium, and sodium. The backlash was so bad that Kraft Heinz announced it would be removed from the National School Lunch Program.
2. Artificial Sweeteners
The diet drinks we know of, such as Diet Coke, were all the rage in the ’90s. We thought that we were making a healthy choice by cutting back on sugar, but in reality, we’re still looking over health problems. Artificial sugar has been linked to the risk of cancer, metabolic disorders, and even an altered gut microbiome. This has actually led to a shift that the beverage industry to switch to natural and low-calorie sweeteners.
1. Fat-Free Craze
Remember when the ’90s cult treated “fat-free” products as a health halo? To compensate for the lack of fat, manufacturers add sugar and refined carbohydrates, which would lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Well, it’s safe to say that the fear of fat of this era is a classic example of nutritional misinformation.