We Thought These 21 Foods Were Totally Normal—Kids Today Disagree

Dishes that once showed up in lunchboxes, school cafeterias, and weeknight dinners were considered completely normal just a generation ago. In fact, many families ate them all the time without thinking twice. But try serving some of those same foods to kids today and you might get a very different reaction. What used to be a staple can now seem strange, outdated, or just plain unappetizing to younger eaters. From old-school casseroles to classic convenience foods that once filled pantries everywhere, these foods were perfectly normal back in the day, but good luck getting today’s kids to eat them.

Ambrosia Salad Kids Think Is Weird

 

This fruity, marshmallow-filled salad feels like a blast from the past. Kids today might find it too sweet and nostalgic to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Marshmallows – No Cool Whip

Creamy Chicken Custard Confuses Kids

This baked chicken in custard may surprise young eaters who expect plain meat. Its creamy topping is a Southern classic that feels unusual today.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Cream Sauce

Apple Waldorf Salad That Feels Old

Apples, walnuts, and raisins in a creamy mix feel retro to modern kids. This classic salad is a side dish that rarely appears on today’s lunch tables.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad with Raisins

Mac & Cheese Kids Would Skip Today

This rich, ultra-cheesy macaroni dish is a nostalgic favorite. Many kids today prefer simpler, less creamy mac varieties.
Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham Surprise

Layers of potatoes, ham, and cheese make a hearty dish that feels old-fashioned. Kids today may find the rich flavors a bit heavy or unusual.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham with Gruyere

Molasses Cookies Kids Call Strange

These molasses cookies are chewy, spiced, and full of old-school flavor. Many kids today might prefer chocolate chips over this traditional treat.
Get the Recipe: Soft and Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookie Recipe

Sugar Cream Pie That Feels Vintage

This custard-filled pie has a caramelized sugar topping kids might find odd. It’s creamy, sweet, and truly a taste of the past.
Get the Recipe: Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie

Carrot Salad Kids Rarely Touch

This shredded carrot salad with raisins is crisp and lightly sweet. Kids today often skip it for more modern sides.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins

Pecan Pralines That Feel Too Fancy

These sweet, buttery pecan treats are classic but feel old-school. Many kids today prefer simpler candy flavors.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Southern Pecan Praline Recipe

Shrimp Salad That Surprises Young Palates

This Old Bay shrimp salad is bright and zesty but unusual for many kids. Its bold seasoning makes it stand out from today’s typical lunch fare.
Get the Recipe: 15-minute Shrimp Salad with Old Bay Seasoning

Chicken & Dumplings Kids Might Skip

This crock pot classic with tender chicken and dumplings feels too heavy for some young eaters. It’s comfort food that tastes like grandma’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings

Sausage Gravy Over Biscuits Stuns Kids

This rich, creamy sausage gravy is classic breakfast comfort. Kids today may find it too heavy or unusual for morning meals.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy

Morning Glory Muffins That Seem Old

These fruit-and-vegetable-packed muffins are wholesome but feel retro. Modern kids might skip them for sweeter, simpler muffins.
Get the Recipe: Old School Morning Glory Muffins with Coconut

Vinegar Coleslaw Feels Too Tart for Kids

This tangy vinegar coleslaw is zesty and refreshing but might surprise kids used to creamy versions. It’s a classic side dish that feels vintage today.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Coleslaw with Vinegar

Buttermilk Biscuits Kids Call Old-Fashioned

These tall, layered biscuits are a Southern staple that feels traditional. Modern kids may be surprised by their rich, flaky texture.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Pineapple Cream Cheese Sandwich Shock

These sweet and nutty sandwiches were a Southern classic, but kids today might question the pineapple-pecan combo. Creamy, fruity, and crunchy all at once, they’re definitely a flavor from another era.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pineapple Cream Cheese Sandwiches with Toasted Pecans

Biscuits and Gravy Brunch Surprise

This all-in-one casserole takes biscuits and gravy to a level kids today might raise an eyebrow at. Rich, cheesy, and hearty, it’s the ultimate comfort breakfast that feels old-school in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Classic Beef Bourguignon Questioned

This slow-cooked beef stew with wine and bacon may feel extravagant and odd to today’s kids. Deep flavors and tender meat make it a fancy dish from a time when cooking was a long, indulgent process.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bourguignon

Creamy Coleslaw Kids Might Skip

This sweet, creamy coleslaw has been a barbecue staple for generations, but today’s kids may find it old-fashioned. Tangy and soft, it’s a side dish that harks back to classic cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sweet Coleslaw

Apple Cider Donuts Surprise

These soft, cinnamon-sugary donuts feel like a treat kids today might think is unusual. Old-fashioned flavors make them a nostalgic dessert from the past.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Pork and Sauerkraut Oddity

This crock pot pork with sauerkraut and apples is a hearty, old-fashioned meal kids today may find surprising. Tender pork mingles with sweet apples and tangy kraut for a dish that’s comfort food from another era.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Sauerkraut Crock Pot Recipe with Apples

23 Church Potluck Classics We Grew Up Eating

These church potluck foods are the kinds of dishes many of us grew up enjoying and still remember whenever we think about those classic potluck tables.
Grab it here: 23 Church Potluck Classics We Grew Up Eating