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.
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.
Liver and Onions
The silver lining: liver is low in calories and packed with essential nutrients. But is that enough to salvage this horror of a dish? We think not. Liver and onions are one of the many baby boomer dishes that have overstayed their welcome. You have to give it credit for a never say die attitude, though.
Liver and onions still feature in diners and good ol' American home-style restaurants scattered across the U.S. It’s a staple part of what they call “traditional” meals, alongside breakfast specials like cheese omelets, hash browns, and pancakes. But honestly, this culinary relic needs to go.
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.
Ham and Banana Hollandaise
If the sight of Ham and Banana Hollandaise doesn't make you queasy, we don't know what will. Few things epitomize culinary chaos, like Ham and Banana Hollandaise. The unholy combination of flavors and textures leaves us in shivers. It’s an assault on the senses in every way. Let’s break it down for you. Bananas sprinkled with lemon juice, inside a ham casing, with a drizzle of mustard sauce.
Bake the concoction for 10 minutes and smother in hollandaise sauce! Sometimes, it's best to leave certain ingredients separate and allow them to shine. Some things are simply not meant to go together – lessons for the kitchen and life overall.