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.
Savory Jell-O Products
Plain Jell-O might be passable in some situations. Say you have food poisoning, and you’re desperate for some relief. Or, you’re in the hospital when the mere thought of consuming anything else is unbearable. But the monstrosity known as Jell-O salads is hand-down the absolute worst food to have come out of America in the 1970s.
But here's the kicker. "Jell-O for salads" doesn't even contain actual vegetables. Instead, they're flavored with a peculiar imitation vegetable medley seasoning. We're baffled how this trend even began and managed to remain so popular. Jell-O as a substitute for vegetables. Now we’ve seen everything.
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.
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.
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?