Before kale chips and green smoothies, we had TV dinners and Pop-Tarts, which were proudly stamped as “healthy” by the 1970s standards. It’s clear that during this time, labels made a lot of food seem like smart choices. Looking back, these 10 foods were totally misunderstood.
10. Granola Bars
Granola bars entered the mainstream in 1970s as a symbol of wholesome eating. Were they actually healthy? Not really. When companies noticed the demand for granola bars, they turned them into portable snack bars, made with oils, sugar, and chocolate. They were marketed as “healthy” and looked like soft candy bars with oats.
9. Tang Orange Drink
Tang was marketed as the official drink of astronauts in the 1970s, thanks to its association with NASA. It was also framed as a Vitamin C-rich drink that was “as good as orange juice.” In reality, the drink was made with sugar, artificial flavoring, and synthetic vitamin C. The color came from artificial dyes and the nutrition value was minimal.
8. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes
Simple means healthy back then, so corn flakes were seen as a great breakfast option in the 1970s. Compared to Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops, corn flakes were plain, low in fat, and lacked the sugary coating commonly found in cereals. But the thing is, they’re low in fiber and made with refined corn (not whole grain), leaving you hungry again an hour later.
7. Quaker Oats Oatmeal
Plain Quaker Oats oatmeal was considered genuinely healthy in the ’70s, but the flavored and instant varieties told a different story. The flavored packets were promoted as vitamin-enriched, but the truth is they were packed with 10 to 15 grams of added sugar, synthetic coloring, and preservatives. Instant also means more processed. These oats digest faster, leading to shorter satiety.
6. Jell-O
Jell-O was once seen as a light and refreshing dessert, ideal for health-conscious families. The colored gelatin was marketed as “99% fat-free” and this claim distracted people from the fact that it was almost pure sugar. Each serving contained roughly 18 grams of sugar and zero amounts of fiber and protein.
5. Hostess Fruit Pies
Hostess Fruit Pies were seen as somewhat healthy simply because of the word “fruit” in its name. At that time, anything with “fruit” meant vitamins, wholesome, and nature. Even though the “fruit filling” from these pies were mostly processed corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors, many people assumed they were better options than cookies or candies.
4. Wonder Bread
Wonder Bread was considered the ideal bread for growing children and health-conscious families in the ’70s, thanks to its powerful marketing messages. The bread came with iconic slogans like “Helps Build Strong Bodies 12 Ways,” which gave it a heroic image. In truth, it was a highly processed white bread with minimal nutrients and fiber.
3. Pop-Tarts
In the ’70s, Pop-Tarts were advertised as an on-the-go breakfast, perfect for busy families. Parents were confident they were providing a “good breakfast” as the packaging emphasized fruit filling. However, Pop-Tarts were basically cookies disguised as a breakfast option. They contained high amounts of sugar and trans fats, and the filling was mostly corn syrup and artificial flavoring.
2. Swanson TV Dinners
Swanson TV dinners were also considered healthy but not because they were, but because ads portrayed them as nourishing and family-approved options. They looked like “complete meals” placed in neat compartmentalized trays. The truth is they were loaded with preservatives, sodium, and artificial ingredients. The overall nutritional value was poor compared to home-cooked meals.
1. Sizzlean
Fat was the enemy in the 1970s, and Sizzlean was promoted as the hero. It was the leaner alternative to bacon, promising 50% less fat. But was Sizzlean really healthy? In short, no. It was highly processed and made with binders and fillers, then formed into strips. This type of processing is now linked to serious health issues like cancer and heart disease.