I Used To Eat What?!?!

Did you ever think back in time and say to yourself "I can't believe I used to eat that!?" I sure do haha! This also makes me think of all the different foods I was introduced to when I went off to college. After reading so many of your "personal stories" about how you came about to be healthier and reach your goals whether it be fitness/weight loss/better nutrition...etc, a lot of us started these life changes after high school...and even then after college!

I thought it would be fun to re-hash some of my favorite treats from back in the day. These were a few reasons why I was on the...er...chubby side for a good portion of my childhood. I'd say I started to acknowledge and "feel fat" around middle school. When I look back I wasn't that over weight, but I wasn't really into sports, and other than dance, I didn't get much physical activity.

Lets look at some of the treats I recall enjoying when I'd get home from school (mind you I already at a lunch at school).
Oh man, I used to LOVE Chef Boyardee meals!!! Those ravioli and beefaroni and spaghetti and meatballs!! Mmmmm...and god knows I ate the whole thing. I think I stopped eating this maybe around junior year of HS.
Of course I had a snack size bag-o-chips in my lunch probably everyday...thank goodness these were pre-portioned, but I probably had another when I got home:\

Oh yeah and I NEVER ate breakfast until I got to college...I just was NOT hungry that early in the morning.
How could you NOT like Dunkaroos!! Little cookies with frosting to dip!! This was especially yummy to me because NO one in my family uses canned frosting ever...so to have the "fake" stuff was so fun for me.Ah yes, I remember these well...and I specifically remember like these ones WAY better than the classic Handi-Snacks. The cheese was much better in this brand :)

This next snack may have followed me to college...but THANKFULLY I treated it as a rare occasion...because even the High School version of myself knew this was RICH!
Mmmmmmm...neon orange cheese squeezed from a packet to melt into delicious shells. Is it bad I am now craving this?? Haha! Oh Velveta, what are you made of...creamy orange crack?

College

So if these weren't bad enough...when I got to college obviously I am surrounded by new people with food choices of their own and who am I not to try out these new creations! First there was Erin, my roommate all 4 years. She opened my eyes to a few things...one being Ranch Dressing, specifically this brand:Now, I've obviously had ranch before...carrots, salads...you know. BUT, she brought it to a whole new level...the first was Turkey meat, between two slices of soft white bread, cut into strips. Then each bite was dipped into ranch...A-MAZ-ING...damn her!! haha.

Again, I weened off the Ranch during college and haven't done that in a looong time...mostly because I just don't buy it :)

Did you think I could have a post about college food without Ramen!!? I think not.

I may have had this a few times before going off to college, but it wasn't a part of my normal food routine until then. How can you pass up deliciously salty, microwave-friendly, 10 for $1 meals!?

One would think...now how bad could noodles and seasoned broth really be, right? OY! Well first of all 1 packet is NOT 1 serving...but the way I learned to make it (less water, so its more noodle less soup...delicious)...was definitely 1 serving for me...plus 14 grams of fat, almost 400 calories, and 2/3 of my daily sodium needs...haha!

Again I weened off this as well...

**My eating and exercise habits started drastically improving Sophomore year...the year I started loosing weight...so most of these "bad" foods were consumed freshman year.
Dammit Erin!! I never even looked at Stove Top before her. My family always makes homemade stuffing and its AWESOME! I was a stuffing snob :) But these canisters of Stove Top turned into my FAVORITE comforting snack (plus it was my first choice for late night drunk food!). I'd take a serving of stuffing, little water, tiny bit of butter...microwave for 1 minute, stir, add 1 slice of American Cheese, heat for 30sec - 1 min longer..stir...enjoy!! Hot, gooey, cheesey, salty amazingness.

This habit took a little longer to break...I still had the occasional Stove Top fix a year after graduation...but haven't touched it since!

I guess I was a stroganoff snob too haha...my mom makes a mean chicken stroganoff, and we never bought any type of Hamburger Helper, ever. Boy was I missing out. I can thank...who else...Erin, for this one too.

I still enjoy this from time to time...but I've found a much better versionThank goodness for Annies!

Another Annie's staple that I've still carried through the years (but only 2 or 3 times a year) is
Mmmmm I should make this soon. You know the BEST part of Annie's shells and cheese...cold leftovers!! My roommate and I LOVE the cold leftovers. I remember one day this past summer we were sweating our butts off in the apt and all we wanted was COLD Annie's...too bad it was much too hot to turn on the stove :)

I had an AMAZING 4 years at the University of New Hampshire and wouldn't change anything. It's funny to look back and see all these food habits I picked up...and most have come and gone as I've learned to eat healthier.

Another great part of being involved in the "blog community" is that I've picked up more new food habits...although this time they are healthy and will stick around for a loooong time I think.

What are some foods you used to love and now can't imagine eating??

I had a lot of fun with this post!

Oh and don't worry I'm still friends with Erin...I'm in her wedding in June and she's in mine!