Snacking Through The Decades: 1950s & ’60s - Canteen (2024)

FAQs

What kind of snacks did people eat in the 1950s? ›

However, packaged snacks were not about to concede to the fast food trend. Peanut M&Ms, Atomic Fireballs, Certs Mints, Hot Tamales, PEZ candy, Pixy Stix, Smarties Candy Necklaces and Marshmallow Peeps were all candies developed during this decade.

Pringles, Pop-Tarts, Doritos, Starburst, Chips Ahoy!, Gatorade, Sprite, and Ruffles all debuted during the decade, and fast food came into its own with McDonald's. New kid-friendly (read: super-sugary) breakfast cereals abounded, like Froot Loops, Honeycomb, Cap'n Crunch, and Lucky Charms.

1950s Lunches

So, what did people eat for lunch in the 1950s? In many cases, it was a pared-down version of dinner, consisting of meat, sides and veggies. Sandwiches were also popular, particularly bologna, as were soups packed in a thermos. And on a special day, you might have dined at a Department Store restaurant.

M&Ms were the go-to candy back in 1948 after they had been used as rations during World War II. But by 1955, the newest hit was peanut—and for good reason, right? These little bursts of licorice were super popular—but probably for advertising rather than taste.

1957: Refrigerated cookie dough.

As you can see from the decade's top recipes, the 1950s were all about the intersection of comfort food and convenience—casseroles and quick dishes like Chicken a la King and Welsh rarebit reigned supreme.

1966: Doritos

You might be surprised to learn that when Doritos were first released by Frito Lay, they didn't have that famous Doritos flavor—they were just tortilla chips! The nacho cheese flavoring was introduced six years later, and snack lovers were hooked. We've had orange, Doritos-stained fingers ever since.

The Starburst Candy is like little gifts of happy chewiness. Ready to burst with that fruity and juicy candy flavour that only the iconic Starburst Candy can deliver! It started off in England in 1960 and was originally named "Opal Fruits".

On September 14, 1964, the Kellogg's Company begins selling the Pop-Tart. The innovative portable-breakfast-treat-turned-anytime-snack would go on to sell billions annually and help redefine the breakfast food market.

School lunches in the 50s were pretty much like the meat and two veg in diners at the time. There was only one lunch, no choice. Typically it would be a ham slice with pineapple, mashed potatoes and gravy amd green beans. Or turkey and dressing or Salisbury steak.

What did they eat in the diner in the 1950s? ›

Items like pancakes, sausages, meatloaf, burgers, and sandwiches were standard on diner menus, and still are today. The meals were priced low, making diners popular even before their rise in the 1950s.

1957: Barbecue

The emergence of the suburb and the introduction of the Weber grill led to a surge in backyard grilling in the late 50s. Smoky briskets and juicy grilled chicken soon became the meal of choice for al fresco dining.

The 1950s brought treats including the Hot Tamales candies in 1950, Eggo Waffles and Cheez Whiz in 1953 and Trix Cereal in 1954.

Interestingly, the oldest snack food discovered was Popcorn. It is over 7000 years old and originated in Peru and Mexico. Archaeological research found the oldest maize husk that was said to be the evidence of popcorn preparation by ancient indigenous peoples.

Kids ate cold cereal in summer, cooked cereal (sometimes) in fall and winter. We had orange juice from frozen concentrate (no health lectures please — we know now that this can cause problems but that wasn't known in the 1950s). My parents had toast and butter, sometimes eggs and bacon on weekends.

The 1950s brought treats including the Hot Tamales candies in 1950, Eggo Waffles and Cheez Whiz in 1953 and Trix Cereal in 1954.

Hot Tamales

This retro candy was the "hot" new candy of the 50's. Hot Tamales were on the lips of every boy and girl and promised an intense taste of spicy cinnamon.