Gross Foods That Baby Boomers Love

This is the longest blog entry I have attempted on the gross foods that baby boomer, including myself, love. I've cut it down to size to make it more manageable. Gaps in the original story re noted. I've added brief comments in italics.

Gross Foods that Baby Boomers Wont Let Die

The baby boomers, a generation that emerged in the aftermath of World War II, have undeniably left their impact. From economic prosperity to cultural shifts, their influence is palpable. But when it comes to their impact on food, let’s just say that legacy is a bit perplexing, if not horrifying.

Baby boomers embraced the convenience of processed foods like no generation before them. How they loved their chain restaurants and accelerated the fast-food revolution! The baby boomer period saw exceptional economic progress. Sadly, that abundance never translated into people’s kitchens, an era infamous for the nastiest food trends the world has ever seen! Read through the list below, and prepare to be shocked or fascinated in equal measure.

Plain Toast deleted because I've eaten it. Toast with butter is about as close as I've came.

Mrs. Dash

Why choose Mrs. Dash when there are entire shelves, stores, and even companies dedicated to spices in this day and age? The iconic Boomer spice blend has stood the test of time. But please, let us retire it already! Sure, this spicy mix might be a flavor bomb. But remember, there's always a catch when it comes to any kind of salt substitutes.

Take a closer look at the ingredients to see what we mean - at least 15 and counting! Chat with your doctor, especially if you're dealing with kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, or diabetes. Better safe than sorry.

Yes, I used the original flavor Mrs. Dash when I was Dx'd with heart disease and was urged to use a salt substitute.

Meatloaf

Call us millennials picky, but food should taste, feel, look, smell, and sound good. Meatloaf just doesn’t cut it. Baby Boomers may have had their reasons for mixing the odds and ends of meat into an unassuming, unglamorous brown loaf. But we can't help but find meatloaf a tad unappealing.

What's up with that mysterious brown glaze on the outside? Why is there so much oil? And how does it taste so distinctly “brown?” In today's health-conscious world, it's no surprise that meatloaf doesn't quite fit the bill. We get the nostalgia around it, but this one’s a hard pass.

What's wrong with meatloaf? Made it all the time with ground beef as well as ground turkey. Great hot or made into sandwiches when cold.

Mayonnaise-Based Salads With Fruit

When we think of salads, what first comes to mind is a vibrant bowl of nutritious veggies, superfoods, nuts, seeds, and protein. Some creamy avocado doesn’t hurt! And, of course, a light and low-fat dressing. Even if you're not overly concerned about your health, it's a truth universally acknowledged that drowning salad in mayonnaise isn’t wise.

Surely, we can’t be the only ones who believe it defeats the purpose of a "salad?" It’s a little wild to imagine how baby boomers ate salads this way. A time when generously slathering broccoli with heaps of mayo was totally acceptable. Our minds are blown!

Yes, I can identify with this one. I've made many a Waldorf salad, and also broccoli salad. 

Savory Jell-O Products. Deleted this one. Never made one of these. This even grosses me out!

Juice From Concentrate

Baby Boomers might raise their eyebrows at the sky-high prices of freshly squeezed juice. Honestly, we get it—nobody should have to shell out $5 for a glass of orange juice. But there are other solutions that won't break the bank - cartons of fresh-squeezed and affordable orange juice available at your local store. It’s a much better option than dealing with the hassle of concentrated juice from a can.

Who remembers those? The process of thawing the concentrate, mixing it with water, and waiting an eternity for it to be ready. Boomers seemingly had plenty of time back in the day. Frankly, it just seems like way more trouble than it's worth. We’re all for the convenience and affordability of store-bought fresh-squeezed juice — a win-win situation for both your taste buds and your wallet.

I make this all the time. Different fruit flavors, too.

TV Dinners

In theory, we completely understand the appeal of buying a complete meal all at once. After all, who has the time or energy to spend hours at the store, preparing, cooking, and dealing with the dreaded cleanup? Convenience was the name of the game. It only makes sense to choose a quick and easy solution like prepackaged meals.

The downside is that we now know these processed meals were often not the healthiest choices. But hey, it's what baby boomers grew up eating. Our version of TV dinners? Whip up a quick meal, grab a plate, and settle in front of the TV.

Yes, the convenience of these meals was undeniable, never mind the often bland taste.

Buffets

Buffets that offer unlimited servings of low-quality fare are always a bad idea. Seriously, why hasn’t the world wised up to this one yet? And we're not just talking about the subpar food choices. There's always that one person who carelessly runs their grubby hands all over the food. Germs and bacteria thrive and multiply in the bins where the food sits.

If food isn’t maintained at the proper temperature, the risks multiply. Food safety experts don't exactly give buffets a glowing endorsement. But if you find yourself at a buffet, proceed with caution. Steer clear of raw vegetables and seafood like your life depends on it.

 OMG, the buffets, starting with the Sweden House Smorgasbord and Heritage House as a youngster. What better way to keep me fat and happy than with a buffet.

Chain Restaurants

Millennials have a love/hate relationship with chain restaurants. On the surface, the concept is a stroke of business genius. Opening the same chains in every city creates instant brand recognition, familiar menus, and a plethora of beloved dishes. Plus, let's not forget the appeal of lower prices. In this economy, we’ll take what we can get! But let's peel back the layers and take a closer look beyond the comfort and familiarity.

The food might be budget-friendly, but deep down, we know it's not exactly culinary excellence. The corporations that oversee these chains have a different set of priorities, with profit often taking center stage. Quality, sadly, may not be their top concern. Also, have you ever checked out the nutritional information of the dishes at Applebee's?

Yep, love the chain restaurants. I know the menus, what to order and what to avoid.

Paper Napkins

Boomers, this one is unforgivable. Think of how many paper napkins you have to go through in one meal. Like a bajillion! The oceans are choking, and you’re to blame. New market research suggests that paper napkins are on the decline, and guess who's getting the blame (credit)? You guessed it—millennials.

The age-old tradition of napkins seems to be experiencing a shift, and millennials are at the forefront of the revolution. It seems that people believe paper towels can easily replace paper napkins when the budget is a concern or cloth napkins if environmental worries take precedence. Hopefully, the world will adopt cloth napkins en-masse in due course.

Of course. What the hell else am I supposed to use? Cloth napkins? C'mon.

Cornflakes

If you’re a Boomer, chances are that you’re deeply nostalgic for brands like Kellogg's Frosted Flakes K and Hostess. And when Saturday mornings meant plopping down in front of the TV, eyes glued to the screen, and a bowl of cereal in hand. But let's take a moment to talk about the most snooze-worthy cereal to ever grace our breakfast bowls: cornflakes.

Admit it - cornflakes are the epitome of blandness. These toasted, flavorless flakes of corn put up zero excitement for the taste buds. We don’t get the appeal of a sad, soggy puddle of flavorless sorrow in milk.

Yep, eat 'em all the time. Thank you, John Harvey Kellogg.

Canned Soup

It’s clear that Millennials and Boomers have different tastes and preferences. And when it comes to soup, there’s plenty simmering below the surface. Millennials are all about those fresh, farm-to-table ingredients. Boomers tend to reach for the trusty canned variety. Canner soup is ready to eat; no preparation is needed. Millennials crave the taste of freshness, opting for soups made with carefully selected, freshly prepared ingredients.

Whipping up delicious homemade soup is the easiest thing in the world. Why settle for the metallic tang of aluminum? Plus, canned soup is loaded with sodium and packed with preservatives. Not to mention the potential health risks associated with BPA, a common chemical found in canned foods.

Yes, a quick and easy lunch. I've long preferred Progresso to Campbell's, but I've eaten my share of Campbell's too, especially tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Meat and Potatoes

Who needs a balanced diet when you can have a feast fit for a king? The Boomer mantra is more stodge, more meat, more carbs, please! Honestly, who can blame them? This generation lived through war rations, where every morsel counted. Vegetables? What vegetables? Unsurprisingly, this is a Millennial’s worst nightmare.

Meat and potatoes are alright together, and there are surely much worse foods out there. Still, this dish is screaming for fiber - even a leaf of some sort will do. Excessive red meat consumption and starchy carbs are not your best friends. Consider a humble lettuce leaf or two, just to balance things out.

Guilty.

Processed Cheese Products

Does cheese really need to be individually wrapped in plastic? We think not! It's the epitome of wastefulness, and our planet and palates need a revolution. Millennials can’t get enough of cheese boards and the joy of slicing and dicing real cheese. Unsurprisingly, popular processed cheese products have seen a decrease in their sales over the last few years.

Millennials are opting for fresh local cheese with ingredients that they recognize and can pronounce. It's time to give processed cheese the boot. Embrace the unadulterated goodness of the real thing. Make a difference, one glorious cheese board at a time.

See above for grilled cheese sandwiches. Also, those slabs of gooey goodness work well in omelets, too.

Soda

Drinking soda every day, in any weather, at any time, is a slippery slope to a world of dental and health woes. Thanks to a trend started by baby boomers, the world is in the clutches of a serious soda addiction. And it’s time to confront reality and face the consequences.

Whether you call it soda, Coke, or pop, let's be clear - sugary carbonated drinks are killing us slowly. So, soda lovers, kick the habit to the curb and break free from the clutches of excessive sugar intake. Let’s quench our thirst with smarter choices that nourish our bodies and keep us on the path to well-being.

Love my Diet Coke. At least I drink diet. But when eating out, I enjoy full-sugared Coke or Pepsi.

"Italian" Food

Baby boomers love Italian cuisine. But let's set the record straight: What they consider Italian food is far from authentic. Sorry to burst your spaghetti and meatball bubble, but those classics (along with garlic bread) aren't exactly what you'd find on Italian dinner tables. The story of contemporary Italian food is complex. The massive wave of Italian migration to the United States created a unique culinary fusion.

The food cultures of both countries became so intertwined that distinguishing one from the other has become an impossible task. One could argue that the “Italian” cuisine we know and love today is more American.

Olive Garden. Jarred tomato sauces (Prego especially). Love them.

Bud Light

Apparently, baby boomers had zero interest in drinking good-tasting beer. Instead, they preferred these tasteless cans of we don't even know what. Calling this foul substance beer doesn’t sit right with us. You don't need some fancy beer judge certification manual to figure it out. Just take a sip.

This strange brew barely even registers on the alcohol scale, boasting a measly 4% or 5%. Imagine if they brewed beer in prison. Bud Light would be that sad, watered-down concoction making the rounds. Is it any wonder that Millennials (or all sane persons) are running away from this stuff? We’ll take our craft beers or wine any day; thank you very much!

I'm not a huge beer drinker, but when I do, I'm a little more adventurous than Bud Light. Spaten, New Glarus Spotted Cow, Heineken. 

Ketchup

Condiments reigned supreme during the Boomer years of the 1950s and '60’s. And if you were in America, kitchens and restaurants everywhere relied on three: ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. But everyone knew deep down that the top condiment of choice was ketchup. Boomers slathered ketchup on everything, from scrambled eggs and lunch meats to steaks or pork chops.

As the hamburger became a cultural phenomenon, it was unheard of to have it without ketchup on the side. But times have changed, and we urge Boomers to evolve with it. With the sheer variety of spices and seasoning today, having ketchup with everything is simply criminal!

Can't have burgers and fries without ketchup. C'mon, lighten up.

Vienna Sausage

My dad certainly liked them, but I never developed a taste for them. 

Tuna Noodle Casserole

No thanks. Plenty of other White Trash casseroles, like Tater Tot.

Boiled Vegetables

Microwaving them in just a little bit of water to create steam is a little better. But I agree. Boiling the piss out of them is unnecessary. What did they ever do to you?

Buttermints

I don't necessarily hate them, but there are so many better candy confections to eat.

Margarine

In the quest for a healthier alternative to butter, enter margarine. This hydrogenated oil product promised all the creaminess of butter without guilt. Baby Boomers were quick to make the swap. But in trying to emulate the delicious qualities of butter, margarine often incorporates a significant amount of trans fats, which can be incredibly harmful. It’s time to let go of margarine for good!

Why not explore a wide range of healthier alternatives? And when in doubt, ask us Millennials. We have avocado spreads and olive oil. There’s plenty of delicious hummus and nut butter to go around. Toast has never tasted so good!

Here, here! I remember my grandma going apeshit over margarine, or "ol-lee" as she called it. She even added yellow food color to it because it was illegal to sell yellow margarine in Wisconsin. I've certainly eaten my share, even going to the ultimate extreme of water-based margarine. Yuck. 

Watergate Salad

Never made this, though saw plenty of it at family pot luck dinners.

Turkey Stuffing

The only acceptable form of stuffing is a toy bear that you're giving to a three-year-old. Definitely, not something you should be putting into your mouth. Stuffed turkey is a crime for several reasons, one of which is the fact that it dries out the turkey. Another reason is that it touches the salmonella and then you're pretty much eating raw turkey juice.

If you simply can't imagine a Thanksgiving meal without the beloved stuffing, consider a compromise. Make the stuffing as a delectable side dish rather than stuffing it inside the turkey. Instead of getting hung up on tradition, let’s prioritize taste and safety this Thanksgiving and always.

Yes. Stovetop stuffing was my dressing of choice. Salt-o-rama.

Aspartame

Artificial sweeteners like Aspartame promise the taste of sugar without any of the nasty side effects. It sounds like a dream come true, right? Here’s the shocking truth: sugar is actually better for you. Artificial sweeteners wreak more havoc on your health than sugar.

They can mess with your metabolism, impact gut health, and even lead to weight gain. On the other hand, good ol' sugar, when consumed in moderation, is a better option. Remember that moderation is key. Opting for no added sugar is truly the superhero of sweet choices. But Boomers, if you really must, don’t deny yourselves the real deal.

I've been through the whole gamut of artificial sweeteners, from saccharine to stevia. 

Meat Pate

No idea. Must be a regional thing. And it's spelled pâté, motherfuckers. I'm at least cultured enough to know this!

Weenie Sauce

Disgusting. But somebody always brings weenies or "little smokies" in weenie sauce to potlucks.

Strawberry Bon-Bons

No idea.

Summer Sausage Snack Platters

Summer sausage snack platters, the underwhelming Christmas gift from your boss that you never asked for. It's like they couldn't muster up enough creativity to think of something more exciting. Let's be honest, there are way better gift options out there! This platter was allegedly an acceptable gifting item back then. What’s worse, the sausage platter was "seasonal."

What now? If you need more evidence of how different generations view food and life, look no further. Not only was the food questionable, even gifts managed to take away the little bit of joy left in you. Who gets excited about a platter of summer sausage snacks?

Certainly. Sausage and cheese platters are party food to us Midwesterners for Packer parties or most any get-together.

Curly Parsley

Waste of money.

Cream Cheese and Bologna Sandwiches

Haven't had a bologna sandwich of any kind since brown bag lunch in high school.

Schwan's Foods

Speaking of food quirks of the baby boomer generation, one name seems to pop up repeatedly: Schwan's Co. This Minnesota-based food company, with its 65-year history, has managed to maintain a rather notorious reputation in the frozen food department.

It started with their frozen pizza inception in 1966. Since then, Schwan's has lived up to its reputation of brands baby boomers just can’t let go of. Sorry, but have you seen the fresh food options available these days? We have elaborate food kits and everything. Frozen pizza gives us the chills. Give us a fresh slice from the local Italian pizzeria down the street any day!

Never heard of Schwan's frozen pizza, but have eaten other Schwan's food. I'll never forget the reaction of a Jewish friend when I told her about Schwan's frozen foods. She laughed so hard because of course schwanz is Yiddish for penis. 

Aspic

Never had it; never will.

Snackwell's Low-Fat Foods

Fat-free cookies aren't actually healthy, Baby Boomers! Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's time to face the hard reality of your beloved cookies. When a cookie proudly claims to be "fat-free," it has often been heavily processed and loaded with questionable ingredients to compensate for the lack of dietary fat.

While you were indulging in those “guilt-free” treats, your bodies were silently paying the price. It’s high time baby boomers reevaluate their dietary choices unless they want to deal with diabetes and heart disease. Have you fallen into the fat-free cookie trap, or have you found healthier alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth?

I was onboard the Snackwell's bandwagon for a while with scores of other brainwashed people.

Wonder Bread

White bread has become a symbol of an era where convenience trumped quality. But as we grow wiser, our taste buds yearn for something more. Bread requires more thought and care. To Millennials, it’s a food group in its own right, deserving far more appreciation and reverence. White bread makes us nostalgic, too, we admit. But you’ve got to break free from nostalgia (and mediocre bread) at some point.

Come join us and explore the world of artisanal bread. Nothing compares to bread made from carefully selected grain - from nutty whole wheat to tangy sourdough and everything in between. You’ll never go back to white bread again.

We had a Gardener's bakery outlet in Madison when I was growing up, and they sold their surplus in an outlet store. No Wonder bread, but something very close to it.

Milk Chicken

No idea.

Cool Whip

Many of us have fond memories of dipping slices of cake or juicy strawberries in that creamy delight called Cool Whip. Back then, Cool Whip seemed like the perfect guilt-free alternative, with its lower calorie count (especially the fat-free version). But here's the harsh truth: this artificial "whipped topping" comes loaded with unpleasant ingredients, including hydrogenated oils.

This sounds like a job for the Millennials, per usual. You’d better believe we have healthier alternatives! Have you considered turning to the real deal — whipped cream? There’s also the delightful world of cashew or coconut cream for the more adventurous baby boomers.

Yes. Lots of it. I ruined many a strawberry shortcake with Cool Whip.

Liver Pate

Liver does offer some health benefits for your nerve and immune system health. It helps produce collagen, which helps our bone, joint, hair, skin, and nail health. Liver is also a great source of B vitamins like vitamin B12 and folate. So, we have nothing against liver... in other shapes and forms. There are so many other ways to eat and prepare liver that don't involve making it look as disgusting as it does here.

If you are medically insane and still want the recipe, here you have it; 1 pound liver sausage, one tablespoon lemon juice, one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/4 cup mayonnaise, two teaspoons unflavored gelatin, sliced stuffed olives, pineapple top. You're welcome, and we’re sorry at the same time.

First of all, it's Pâté, you lazy fuck. I ate it. Not a ton of it, but it was a staple on salad bars, growing up in Wisconsin. You would often spread it on crackers.

Ham Salad

It's no secret that boomers have a knack for adding mayonnaise to everything! Was the Boomer era the reign of mayonnaise? Because it appears they had an abundance of it at their disposal. Don’t believe us? How about the ungodly creation they call the Ham Salad?

Ham, a savory delight on its own, meets its unexpected partner in crime: mayonnaise. And as if that weren’t bad enough, they added grapes to the mix too! We’re all for experimentation in the kitchen, within reason and basic culinary logic. Ham salad makes us question whether baby boomers belong in the kitchen at all!

Oh yeah. No grapes, but pickle relish was (and is) a must. Great on crackers, or as a sandwich filling.

Instant Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes: the ultimate comfort food. So simple, cheap, and delicious. Why anyone would resort to buying them from a box or a can, we’ll never know! Making mashed potatoes from scratch couldn't be easier. A quick search on Google will give you countless recipes and techniques to master this kitchen staple.

It’s a no-brainer to save yourself some serious cash and control the quality and flavor of your spuds. The next time you’re tempted to reach for a box of mashed potatoes, remember this. You deserve better. You deserve the real deal, made with love and care in your very own kitchen.

Some brands were better than others, but looking back, they were all bad. And real potatoes are so inexpensive, why bother with instant? Many restaurants use them, too. Yuck. 

Boiled Brussels Sprouts

No thanks. Boiled, broiled, I wouldn't have them stuck up my ass if I had room for Chicago. They give you smelly gas on top of it.

Applebee's

We’re not big fans of chain restaurants, and Applebee's secures a top spot on the list. Sure, they might have some pretty good dishes. But if you've ever seen the calorie information, your jaw would drop. There’s no reason in the entire bible of reasons why salad should have over a thousand calories.

There’s also no reason why a salad should be drenched in fried meat and thick dressing. The baby boomers strike again with their love for mayonnaise and margarine. We love you, but we're begging you to reconsider your dressing choices. Let the vibrant flavors of fresh produce shine through.

I think we've plowed this ground already with Olive Garden, but yes I can think of a half dozen restaurants right in my own neighborhood. The same goes for Chile's, TGIF Fridays, Perkins, etc.

Twinkies

For many baby boomers, the thought of Twinkie-free shelves and cupboards is a serious downer. These golden goodies have become synonymous with a bygone era. After the Cuban missile crisis, a common joke circulated that only cockroaches and Twinkies would survive a nuclear meltdown. Talk about resilience!

All jokes aside, it makes us wonder what goes into the making of these otherwise soft and gushy treats. It must be some seriously sketchy stuff. Twinkies are highly processed and unhealthy snacks. If that wasn’t bad enough, people have gone the extra mile by deep-frying them. That’s just wrong on so many levels.

I've eaten my share. Yes, I've seen the "Family Guy" episode, and laughed out load at the absurdity, and the probable truth of it.

White People Tacos

It's time we have a serious chat about the state of tacos. The beloved dish has been completely hijacked and overshadowed by its obnoxious "white" cousin. You know which imposter we're talking about—the one with salad toppings, yellow cheese, flavorless ground beef, and a generous dollop of sour cream. It's time to put an end to this culinary charade.

So, what makes a taco truly authentic? A soft corn tortilla cradling strips of simmered, spicy beef complemented by the freshness of cilantro and the zing of onions. The true symphony of taste transports you to the heart of Mexico. No more unoriginal crap masquerading as tacos. We need to reclaim the real deal.

My friend, Mario, says taco literally translates to "small meal" in Spanish. Leave it to us gringos to American-ize it, ala Taco Bell, Taco John's, etc. I'm as guilty as the next person. Run for the border? More like, run for the bathroom.

Glazed carrots

Not a fan. Eaten raw, or shredded in a salad is fine.

Fruitcake

Who the hell actually eats these things? My dad tried to dress up one of things one year by pouring in a shot of rum every day for several days. It ate right through the tin.

Big Macs

The mighty Big Mac just isn't cutting it with young millennials. Believe it or not, only one in five millennials has dared to take a bite out of a Big Mac. The burger that once ruled the fast-food kingdom is facing a serious popularity crisis. Why? Maybe it’s just us, but have you seen the grease on that thing? The world has plenty of alternative burger joints today.

They might come at a slightly higher price tag, but what you're paying for is fresh produce, high-quality bread, and most of all, peace of mind. Newsflash: you can enjoy a burger without having to worry about cardiac arrest. So, stop and walk away slowly from that Big Mac!

I confess, I love 'em. In January 2024, McDonald's brought back the Double Big Mac, which has four beef patties instead of the usual two. God help us.

Budweiser

Not a fan. We here in Wisconsin have so many beers better than Bud.

Pop-Tarts

My sister loves 'em, but I think they have about as much flavor as a roofing shingle.

Actually Eating Spam

I tried a "loaf" recently to see if I had a taste for it. Hawaiians certainly like it. I threw it out after eating about 3/4 of it. And it comes in 12 different flavors, no less.

Creamed Corn

Corn is undeniably amazing and versatile to boot. We love it roasted or boiled. Nothing compares to the simple joys of corn on the cob. Creamed corn may bring back memories of family gatherings or childhood meals for boomers, but surely there are other ways to indulge in sweet nostalgia.

Sometimes, less is more. Creamed corn is loaded with calories, in case you hadn’t noticed. This dish is bad for your health, especially when paired with other favorites of the boomer era like Spam, Jell-O, and Twinkies! Let’s part ways with excessive cream in everything. Your body will thank you!

Yes, I've eaten my share. Seems to be a staple among us Midwest Norwegians. Escalloped corn, too.

Mayo and Bologna Sandwiches

In the realm of lunch foods, bologna sandwiches are the ultimate horror story. An unholy alliance of mayo and lunch meat on white bread. It’s one of the most nutrition-lacking, stomach-churning meals you can subject yourself to. A sad bologna sandwich sitting in your backpack for hours slowly transforms into a mushy nightmare.

Let’s not forget the excessive amounts of preservatives, fat, and sodium in every bite. And just when you think it can’t get worse, it does! Each bite is downright strange and slimy — an experience you won't soon forget. It’s high time we say goodbye to this soggy, sad excuse for lunch.

Yes, and mustard, too. Damn you, Oscar Mayer.

Fish Sticks

The appetizing images may lure you in, but don't be fooled! What actually comes out of the oven is shocking. That deceptive crispy exterior hides a world of disappointment — a soggy, cold, and processed mush that leaves your taste buds in despair. Plus, these little devils can wreak havoc on your digestive system. We’ve heard many a horror story about killer heartburn induced by fish sticks.

Is convenience over quality really worth all the trips to the doctor? As millennials, we know what's up when it comes to seafood. Give us quality wild-caught salmon over the lackluster experience of frozen fish sticks any day. Baby boomers, it's time to level up our culinary game.

When I wintered in Florida, seafood places would offer them as free kids' meals to lure parents into eating there. For shame. 

Liver and Onions

Yuck. No thanks.

Instant Mac N’ Cheese

Instant mac and cheese is a dish too distressing to even think about. We get that it reminds boomers of the good old days. But here’s the thing about nostalgia. It’s a highly-skewed perspective. The good old days weren’t always “good,” and in the case of foods, far from healthy. The radioactive orange hue of the cheese sauce should’ve been your first clue, practically screaming “Hazardous Material.”

The artificial cheese powder brings more than just flavor, but a gamut of unhealthy chemicals you might want to think twice about. If anything can survive on your pantry shelf for an eternity, it's worth asking yourself whether that's a good thing.

Guilty. I always have a box or two in my pantry.

Pot Pies

Every baby boomer has a pot pie story to share. Whether homemade or store-bought, these savory delights were a fixture in their childhoods. This is one food from the “good old days” that still makes sense to us. We admit, there’s something magical about breaking through the flaky crust of a pot pie and digging into that filling.

As delicious as they may be, pot pies can bring on quite the stomach ache. The rich ingredients and hearty portions can sometimes leave you feeling uncomfortably full. Oh well. An upset tummy is a small price to pay for the indulgence of comfort food bliss.

Yup, they were (and are) a cheap, easy meal. Certainly light on the meat. My biggest problem with them is I didn't let them cool enough before shoving them into my "pie hole."

Ham and Banana Hollandaise

Is this really a thing? Never heard of it, and it makes my stomach do flip-flops just thinking about it.

Scotch Eggs

Saw these on an Irish restaurant menu once as an appetizer. Leave it to the Irish to come up with something so disgusting.

Peppermint Popcorn Tree

Heard it might be a traditional remedy to relieve constipation. Never had one. Never will.

Jellygrill Sandwich

Yuck. No further comment.

Cornflour Mold

Never heard of it.

Hot Dog Fondue

Fondue parties were all the rage during the 70s. Friends and family huddled around a bubbling fondue pot. Stories were shared. Good food was had. But wait, things are about to take a quirky turn. Brace yourselves for the hot dog cutting chart— a myriad of unconventional ways to slice up everyone's favorite sausages.

Who would've guessed that there were so many creative ways to transform a simple hot dog? Call us old-fashioned, but some of us prefer a more traditional approach. Slap a hot dog on a bun, top it with your favorite condiments, and call it a day. After all, simplicity is the key to hot dog perfection.

Fondue was all the rage for a while. Remember the Melting Pot? Still in business, by the way.

Lobster Jell-O

Really? A waste of a lobster

Jellied Tomato Refresher

Never had it and never will.

Atora Steak Puddings

Hold up! Is that a body part? Atora Steak Puddings might have been a hit back in the day, but it's time to embrace modern culinary trends. Baby boomers let go of the past. Please. Why stick to the same old “pudding” (we use the term loosely here) when there's a world of new recipes out there?

These puddings are often loaded with unhealthy fats and calories. We’d probably understand if they tasted good. But, sorry. This dish is bland and lacks any excitement in the taste department. Why feel weighed down (sometimes quite literally) by bizarre culinary traditions? Choose lighter, healthier, and tastier alternatives.

OMG. Looks like a volcano took a shit. People actually ate these things?

Shrimp Sandwich Roll

The Shrimp Sandwich Roll probably tasted okay, but its marketing might have doomed it from the start. The aesthetics leave much to be desired. But let’s backtrack a bit. Back in the day, Instagram-worthy food wasn't a priority. Those were simpler times. This one’s a classic case of "looks can be deceiving."

While the Shrimp Sandwich Roll may not win any beauty contests, it's the flavor that truly matters. Right? We don’t know if we can fall in love with its potential, though. All we see is a pile of inedible goop. Steer clear unless you’re the kind who loves a food adventure yourself that's both intriguing and off-putting.

Reminds me of its pricier cousin, the lobster roll. Probably tastes OK.

Tomato-Banana Tarts

OK, you're making this up, right?

Banana Candles?

Somebody stop this insanity. Looks incredibly phallic to me. I'm gonna get me a copy of that cookbook, though. Should be good for a few laughs. It's $120 on Abebooks. Turns out it's a cult classic.

Creepy Tuna Mold

Never had one of this. I count myself lucky.

"Stuffed" Salmon

I love salmon. Why do you have to stuff it?

The Frosted Ribbon Loaf

There's actually a stock photo of this culinary abortion?

Chicken-Cranberry Salad

Chicken cooked with a side of cranberry is quite common. And while Chicken-Cranberry salad might not sound too outrageous at first, wait till you hear the details! This salad, hailing from the 1950s, combines chicken, cranberries, mayo, gelatin, and canned vegetables.

How does one salvage this horror? Maybe a dollop of this salad on a salty and dry cracker might counterbalance the inevitable waves of nausea. The “salad” offers yet another fascinating glimpse into a bygone era, where taste and food preferences defied logic. Baby boomer life was like a box of (strange) chocolates. You really never know what you’re gonna get!

I've made this. Tastes OK. 

Mayonnaise With Jell-O

Yuck! I'm running out of adjectives on Jell-O.

Supper Salad Loaf

No, never had it. You're making this up, right?

Spaghetti-O Jell-O

Gross. Simply gross.

Tuna Upside-Down Casserole

I hate canned tuna. There isn't a casserole in the whole world that can make it taste good.

Blue Cheese "Mousse"

Bleu cheese should be reserve for salad, either dressing or crumbles.

Garden Vegetables in Gelatine

Canned vegetables are bad enough. Where did we ever get the idea that canning them was cause for celebration. They are good for stocking a nuclear fallout shelter, but that's it. To embalm them in gelatine is taking heinous to a whole new level.

Frozen Cheese Salad

Leave it to Weight Watchers to come up with something so awful.

Jelly Soufflé Salad

Never had it. This recipe comes from the crazy '60s.

Orange Delight Pie

The name might sound like a summer’s delight, but this pie is anything but! It takes guts to butcher a beloved American classic, but someone went ahead and did just that. The Orange Delight Pie challenges all our notions of color and flavor. It doesn’t take a genius to know that pies just shouldn’t have a radioactive-orange color.

And to make things worse, this “pie” is made of orange Kool-Aid powder. Who would’ve thought that the iconic powdered drink mix could find its way into a pie and be topped with cream cheese, no less? In a world where you can be anything, don’t mess with the beloved pie.

This actually sounds good, in that Midwestern white trash sort of way.

Frozen Fruitcake Salad

No. Just don't. Throw it out in your back yard so hopefully your neighbors won't see what an obvious moron you are. Let the birds and racoons have it. Keep your dog away from it, though.

Fizzy Float

The only float that should be allowed is the root beer float.

Cloud Eggs

So are you knocking this one, or praising it?

The "Mock" Apple Pie

I've weighed in on this one already. Definite thumbs down. I hope apples never become in short supply again like they did during WWII (which gave rise to this recipe) that we have to turn to Ritz crackers for our apple pie.

Cheese N' Lime Salad

I've had it, and it's not bad. Could we please stop picking on Jell-O?

Chicken Marbella

Never heard of it.

Pigs in Blanket

It seems like everyone loses their minds whenever the words "pigs" and "blankets" are uttered together. But is the dish worth the hype? Hear us out before you come baying for blood. We eat sausages and bacon all the time. So why is it that when we wrap them together, it suddenly becomes a culinary classic?

Even when we enjoy sausages and bacon side by side for breakfast, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone squealing with joy. Don’t get us wrong. We don’t take particular issue with Pigs in Blanket. We just don’t understand what the fuss is all about. What is it about wrapping these meats together that drives everyone crazy?

This is not the way I make pigs in a blanket. I wrap the weenies in Pillsbury croissant dough. Bacon optional, though that would add another layer of flavor. Yum.

Jell-O and Cream Cheese Squares

Stop picking on Jell-O.

Coconut Beach Ball Cake

Never had it.

Punch Bowl Cake

Never had it.

Avocado and Shrimp Cocktail

Step aside, avocado toast! We're taking a trip to the swinging '60s with the avocado and shrimp cocktail. This relic from the boomer generation is featured at kids’ birthday parties, of all places! It's the kind of dish kids would’ve run away from — parents having to buy them ice cream or pizza as a treat on the way home.

But adults could definitely get behind this "cocktail," we think. The dish combines shrimp and creamy avocado, doesn’t it? You whisk together some mayonnaise, ketchup, Tabasco sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. The result? A tangy, creamy appetizer that doesn’t sound too bad at all.

So you're saying this one is OK?

Melon Change-About

Who remembers the melon baller? Got one in your utensil drawer? What a waste of time. Just eat the damn melon.

Midget Burgers

Before sliders became a trendy bite-sized sensation, there were Midget Burgers, a culinary gem straight out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine in 1954. Were these bite-sized burgers a yay or nay? These mini marvels were precursors to today's sliders, and how bad could that be?

They’re mini burgers, right? Just with a much more eyebrow-raising name. If the internet existed then, it would be up in arms and raging by now. It's up to individual choices at the end of the day. You must decide if you're willing to overlook the name and embrace the charm of these pint-sized patties.

BH&G predicted the future, with this one, yay! Love my White Castle sliders. I wish they had one in Madison. I have to settle for White Castle sliders in the frozen food aisle. 

Cheese Ball

The 1960s food scene was infamous for disastrous creations like meat cakes in mayo frosting or dishes with obscene amounts of Jell-O. But one dish stands out, even though it involves a ton of processed ingredients. Say hello to the cheese ball, a boomer creation that looks like it clogs arteries but is also delicious.

The traditional cheese ball recipe involves combining cream cheese with shredded cheddar and a blend of seasonings like hot sauce, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. The mixture is then molded into a ball shape and coated with nuts. While it may be associated with a bygone era, let’s not be quick to dismiss a dish that ranks so high in cheesy goodness!

Staple of the Swiss Colony and Wisconsin Cheeseman (now defunct) annual Christmas catalog. Loved those cheeseballs. Pure white trash food.

Eggs Stuffed With Sour Cream and Red Caviar

No thanks.

Guitar Cake

Para bailar La Bamba, Ariba!

Chiffon Tapioca

I love vanilla tapioca pudding. I suppose chiffoning it wouldn't be too bad.

Marshmallow Guts With Lime

Why?

Hasselback Potatoes

Potatoes for the win, always. Show us a person who disagrees and we will show you a person who is lying. Hasselback Potatoes are essentially potatoes with slices in them. The term "Hasselbacking" refers to a cooking method where potatoes or other items are sliced in thin, even layers without completely cutting through.

The technique creates more surface area for flavors to penetrate. It also gives that extra oomph of texture. The name "Hasselback" originated from a restaurant called Hasselbacken in Stockholm, Sweden in the 1940s. The recipe for Hasselback potatoes was born here. Pretty-looking, flavorful potatoes. What’s not to love? Boomers, you got this one right!

OK! Never had them and probably never will. Too much trouble.