"Do you want a snack?"
The five words that would make a child rejoice, due to the glimpse of the stocked up pantry that would follow. Snacks were (and still are) a bite of happiness that got us through fighting with our siblings, temper tantrums, and our childish laziness. Those who grew up with a cage surrounding their sugary and sodium-packed snacks understand that this was a daily mini-miracle. We got to feast our eyes on the smorgasbord of kid culinary possibilities.
I do not think children are physically or emotionally able to turn away a snack. Especially the following five.
1. Pop Tarts.
Not only were our pantries stocked up with Pop Tarts, but with multiple flavors ranging from S'mores to the classic Strawberry. This multi-purpose snack served as a breakfast food option and could pass as the "dessert" in our daily school lunches.
2. Fruit By The Foot.
First of all, this snack was fun. While including a math measurement term in its name, the Fruit by the Foot was able to excite any type of kid. There was just something about a ball of rolled up gelatin sugar that could get a kid going at lunchtime or after school.
3. Goldfish.
An annoyingly addicting baked cheese cracker in the shape of a fish. It may be not as fun as number two, but still is always a crowd favorite. The feeling of putting your hand in a Goldfish bag is a mixture of safety and the pleasure of being one step closer to eating your favorite snack.
4. Uncrustables.
Definitely a weird yet genius concept. Parents were able to give you that forever craved PB&J without the schlep of taking out two different jars, a loaf of bread, and some knives. Uncrustables were an easy parent and kid snack option that always left its takers satisfied.
5. Ho Hos.
Chocolate cake wrapped around a whipped creme substance. How could any adolescent resist?
These five are the foods that we knew and loved and still shamelessly may slip into our grocery cart every once in a while. They take care of our sweet and salty cravings and bring back memories of a stress-free childhood.
