Nutrition guidelines get an update every five years because new research emerges about certain diets, the health benefits of different foods, and the role of eating habits. And the more we learn, the more info we have to make healthy food choices. So when you think back over the past few decades, you might remember how fast food seemed like the ultimate convenience (and menus lacked smaller, better-for-you options).
A jog down memory lane will also remind you of a time when fat-free and sugar-free snacks and desserts were all the craze, and when soft drinks and other sugary drinks stocked most families’ refrigerators. To show you just how far we’ve come with nutrition science and today’s healthy eating guidelines, we rounded up the most ridiculous food commercials from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, so you can see what types of foods came into the scene and the trends we’re so glad we put on ice.
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Pringles
Once you pop, you can’t stop, as people say once they’ve opened a can of Pringles. Processed and fried foods shouldn’t be your go-to snack, especially since there are many baked and air-fried versions of chips on grocery shelves since this commercial aired in the early 90s.
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Tab
You might recall Tab, a soft drink that tastes a lot like a Coke, except it had only calorie per drink, thanks to its use of artificial sweeteners. But now we know that “sugar-free” doesn’t necessarily mean healthy and that sugar substitutes can cause gastrointestinal distress. We do love our very own Elle Macpherson in this ad, though.
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Fruit Roll Ups
Another ad riding the natural food wave, this commercial says it’s OK to eat roll ups because they are "real fruit, flat out". But the ingredient list features a little more than apples, berries and pears. If you're wanting a snack, the original fruit is the way to go.
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Spam Lite
The 90s called and they want their fat back because we now understand how important the macronutrient is for a healthy, satisfying diet. Everything was made “lighter” back in the day, meaning food companies cut down on fat for many products - including Hormel’s canned spam. Here’s your diet ad to prove it. (It's probably best to reach for real ham for your next sandwich).
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McDonald’s
Remember when McDonald's was considered a restaurant? Apparently, it was a great place to eat lunch, according to this ad. Sure, it's fast but we all know the downfalls of that extra-large portion-size plan. Anything with “quarter,” “double,” and “super” are red flags for calorie landmines.
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Aeroplane Jelly
We can probably all sing the Aeroplane Jelly jingle and as much as we might like it for dinner and like it for tea, a little each day is not necessarily a good recipe. Let's not forget the sugar-free craze. Jelly is a treat that’s meant to serve your sweet tooth, except it doesn’t actually have any sugar in it. Sugar substitutes have zero calories, but they can deepen your cravings for more sweets instead of trying to tame them. Some experts argue it’s best to go for the real thing and in this case, we say opt for some fruit instead.
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Snickers
In the mid-90s, Snickers used most of their ads to show that the sweet treat could cure hunger and give you energy throughout the day. While it’s A-OK to occasionally enjoy a Snickers bar for dessert or a special treat, we recommend having a slice of toast with natural peanut butter (or better yet, celery with peanut butter) as a better way to boost your energy than a chocolate bar.
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Red Bull
We have to admit that these commercials for Red Bull are pretty memorable. While energy drinks still take up space on shelves, we also know they should be sipped with care, considering some people have gone to the hospital for consuming this type of beverage. There are also more natural energy drinks out there that rely on healthier ingredients, like tea.
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Kraft Fat-Free Salad Dressing
Fat definitely got a bad rap in the 90s, hence why you'll see hundreds of food and diet ads of products made without the essential macronutrient. This Kraft commercial for fat-free salad dressings says it still tastes great, but it’s probably best to just go for a naturally lighter dressing that you can make at home, like a balsamic vinegar or olive oil with fresh lemon juice.
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Diet Pills
Whether it’s the 80s, 90s, or 2000s, you’ll always find diet and weight-loss pills on the market. And the ads will likely look similar to these two for Dextrim and Control supplements, meant to squash your appetite. All we can say: Skip the pills and go for whole foods, not many of which you’ll find on this list of diet ads.
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