A Tough Job
Of course, cheerleading is a tough job! If everyone possessed the skills of cheerleaders, there would be no need for them after all. Cheerleaders put copious amounts of hours into training to make sure that their routines are perfect.
Not only is a lot of training required, but keeping fit and healthy is also another requirement that comes with being a cheerleader. Most coaches back in the day would have their cheer squad on strict diets so they had enough energy for the games!
Bring it Home!
While most modern cheerleading uniforms are skin-tight and made with a certain material to allow cheerleaders to move about freely, this was not always the case. This is perfectly demonstrated by this next vintage photo from an Iowa State cheerleader.
Iowa is a midwest state and thus would get extremely cold during the winter. This would probably explain the thick, woolen Iowa sweater this cheerleader is adorning. If these girls are cheerleading during the summer, they may have to look for an alternative!
Poms Poms Up
You may not recognize her here, but this is actually a still from the 1960 movie Tall Story, with Jane Fonda in her first-ever on-screen role. Fonda plays June Ryder who goes to university to not only study home economics, but to find a husband.
As shown in these photos, the 1960s were a new era for cheerleading uniforms compared to Sandy’s cheerleading uniform in Grease. The inclusion of the miniskirt in these uniforms allowed cheerleaders to move freely and perform a number of difficult tricks.
Truly All American
While cheerleading is starting to become a popular hobby and profession around the world, its importance and prevalence in American culture cannot be understated. There are cheerleaders at a high school or college level, and beyond that, people can become professional cheerleaders.
However, people really underestimate cheerleaders. They might think these ladies are dumb just because they’re cheerleaders, however, that’s certainly not true. Many cheerleaders at a professional level actually have college diplomas and are very skilled in their field.
One Big Team
It’s not just about individual cheerleaders. To be a successful cheerleading team, you need to work and communicate with one another to pull off some of the incredible moves and routines cheerleaders often do while on the pitch.
However, life as a cheerleader isn’t always glamorous. Debbie Kepley, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader back in the 1970s, disclosed that being a cheerleader felt like being on Miss America — meaning that you’ll do anything people say to be a part of the glitz and glam, including betraying your teammates.
Some More Stunts
This next vintage picture is taken of a Miami Dolphins cheerleader back in the 1980s. In particular, this image was taken at the 1988 game between the Dolphins and the San Diego Chargers, where the Dolphins ended up winning. Maybe green was a lucky color!
In the 1980s, cheerleading became much less about the outfits and aesthetics, and more about the stunts and routines that could be performed. Cheerleaders would perform everything from dance routines to gymnastic-type stunts to draw in the crowd.
For the Win
You could probably already tell, but this photo of a cheerleader is from the 1950s. Not only does it include a very patriotic red, white, and blue uniform, but the eye is drawn to the massively oversized pom poms that this particular cheerleader is holding.
While this woman is wearing a short skirt, normally these were frowned upon in the 1950s. Many cheerleaders opted for uniforms that had knee-length or longer skirts. There was less of a need for short skirts given the minimal routine they would perform.
A Cheerleading Legend
There couldn’t be an article about cheerleading back in the day without mentioning the cheerleading icon, Suzanne Mitchell. Mitchell is behind most of the iconic looks you see adorned on cheerleaders nowadays, after discovering something incredible in the 1970s.
After a cheerleader was caught winking into the camera at the 1976 Super Bowl, Mitchell decided that there was a need for a radical overhaul of cheerleading uniforms. She then began to manage the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and turn them into the icons they are today.
Lots of Team Spirit
This next photo shows the cheerleaders from the University of Maryland sometime in the 1950s. While women have been involved in cheerleading since the 1920s, it really wasn’t until the 1940s that they started to join in big numbers and make it become a female-dominated sport.
Again, their uniform is reminiscent of Sandy from Grease, and probably was a huge inspiration for those filmmakers when making Olivia Newton John’s costume. If those sweatshirts were sold in stores, they would be sold out in record time because they’re just so cute.
Love on the Pitch
It is, of course, very likely for footballers to meet their future wives on their team’s cheerleading squad, or even on their rival’s cheerleading squad. This was the case for Alex Smith and Elizabeth Barry. They met when Smith was a player for the 49ers and Barry a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders.
This old picture reminds us of the relationships that were made between the players and their cheerleading squad. After all, a common movie trope is a quarterback boyfriend and cheerleader girlfriend!
No Girls Allowed
While we think of cheerleading as a female-dominated sport, this wasn’t always the case. From the 19th to the early 20th century, most cheerleaders were exclusively men. Women were only allowed to start joining from 1923, and that was only at the University of Minnesota.
The phenomenon of cheerleading actually began with a man shouting. In 1889, Minnesota student Johnny Campbell picked up a megaphone and rallied the crowd by chanting, “Rah, rah, rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-so-tah!” Not a very catchy chant mind you, so thank goodness it’s gotten better.
Full of Sparkles
If anyone was lucky enough to live through the ’90s, they will know that it was a decade full of sparkles, sequins, and grunge. This also translated onto the San Fransisco 49ers cheerleading uniform, which was equipped with enough tassels and sparkles that they could be seen from miles away.
Unfortunately, like most phases, this died out. Nowadays, you won’t quite see the same level of detail and sequins attached to cheerleading uniforms. Cheerleaders no longer have to look like showgirls before they step onto the field!
A Huge Distraction
While cheerleading routines are incredibly precise and fun to watch, they also serve a purpose as well. Not only are they meant to get the crowd riled up before and during a game, but they also are used to distract fans when their team is doing poorly.
The Chicago Bears owner, George Halas admitted to putting dancing girls out on the field to detract the attention away from a losing game. Cathy Core, the Bears cheerleading coach, even admitted to modifying the uniform in order to make them more distracting.
Back to Basics
Sometimes, basics work. That was definitely the case in this situation for the San Fransisco 49ers, who changed their uniform in the early ’90s back to their original 1950s design. This assumingly made people feel at least a bit nostalgic.
Instead of wearing outfits with miniskirts and tight-fitting tops, they opted to return to their past with a knee-length, red skirt, with a matching loose sweater. In this game, the 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints, so perhaps it was a good luck charm after all.
No Matter the Weather
No matter what the weather is, cheerleaders have to go out and perform their very best. Whilst this picture isn’t from a particular game, it’s actually from the 72nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City in 1998. All the cheerleaders had to wear transparent rain ponchos.
It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, rainy, or snowy — cheerleaders have to bring fun and energy to fans even when they really don’t want to. We commend their ambition and their spirit for wanting to keep us fans entertained in the worst weather conditions.
Different Facilities for Cheerleaders
Whilst the life of a professional cheerleader may look glamorous, with all the traveling and fun that comes with the job, that’s not always the case. For cheerleaders back in the day, the conditions they had to face were even worse.
This picture depicts the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders backstage at the Superbowl XII. However, you’ll be shocked to learn that none of those cheerleaders were paid for their performance. They were told they would only receive wages for home games, and that was only $14.12 for each home game they did.
Not a Typical Job
Even professional cheerleaders nowadays talk about how their job currently isn’t a typical job, but back in the day, going professional was unheard of. It wasn’t until the 1950s when team owners began creating professional cheerleading teams.
Cheerleaders would be selected for professional cheer squads on two main factors — their appearance and their dancing ability. During the 1950s, cheerleaders were only there to bring in male viewers and supporters to games. However, this took a while to catch on with other teams.
Pop-Cultural Phenomenons
It’s hard to deny that cheerleaders have had a major impact on pop culture as we know it. Cheerleaders, especially the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, have gone on to become household names. Plenty of them are featured on a deck of playing cards, and some have even inspired characters in movies and television shows.
Some cheerleaders were even invited onto movie sets themselves to make cameo appearances in films like The Love Boat and Family Feud. The US government also saw how talented these cheerleaders were and recruited some for the USO tours at the request of the Defense Department.
Jumping for Joy
Whilst cheerleading hasn’t really caught on with countries outside of North America, that isn’t to say that there haven’t been cheerleaders in other countries. This photo was taken at the United States Air Forces in Europe Championships in Wembley, London back in 1952.
The 1950s saw a surge in people wanting to become cheerleaders — so much so that former cheerleader Lawrence Herkimer opened a cheerleading education school in Texas in the 1950s. In her first year, she had 52 girls sign up, with another 350 later attending.
Down in Syracuse
If you guessed if this photo was taken in the 1950s, you would be right. This photo depicts cheerleaders in their alternating white and red sweatshirts and long, white skirts during a game against West Virginia in 1959. Despite the fact that this picture is over 60 years old, the quality is stunning.
As most photos from back in the day are in black and white, to see the colors of the uniforms is amazing. It also makes this photo look like it was taken just last year rather than over 60 years ago.
Leader of the Pack
The role of a captain within the cheer squad is very important. Not only will you be held accountable for the mistakes your fellow colleagues make, but all eyes will be on you during the performance. No pressure or anything, though, by the way!
Captains in cheer squads are usually easy to spot due to either a button, sash, or different component that’s attached to their uniform. Incredibly, this photo is actually from 1945 and shows USC cheerleader Betty Brown in her stars and stripes uniform.
Unusual Uniform Additions
We think of cheerleading as a high-intensity and quite a dangerous sport. While girls are being flung into the air and expected to effortlessly land all types of twirls and flips, we expect there to be no danger to them, especially in the case of their uniforms.
This photo was taken of a St. Louis Cardinals cheerleader at Busch Stadium on October 31st, 1976. However, an unusual addition to this uniform is the neck scarf. While gymnastics wouldn’t be introduced into cheerleading until the 1980s, this could be a serious cause for concern due to choking.
Ready to Go
From the 1970s, it was well known that being a cheerleader was a great route to becoming one of the most popular girls at school. This period of time really shaped the stereotype of a cheerleader with the theatrics and the miniskirts.
It was also the 1970s that makeup had taken on a prominent role and was being applied more heavily, which we can see in this photo. While their uniform might be a plain black and white one with matching pom-poms, the makeup is a different story, with heavy blush and eye makeup.
Face of a Brand
Many cheerleaders of the past ended up doing brand deals with a number of different companies. However, the sad truth behind this story is the fact that cheerleaders were often better paid by brands than they were by the teams they worked for.
Cheerleaders back in the day would only end up getting $100 per season, despite being the ones who were drawing in the crowds. Their male counterparts who were playing would get bonuses at the end of each season — and if they won the Superbowl, each got a $10,000 ring.
Mixed Cheerleading Squads
Despite once being a male-dominated, and male-only sport, cheerleading over the years has become seen as a more feminine activity to do. While the cheer squads we see in colleges and high schools may be more diverse, this photo showed some of the only mixed-gender cheer squads in the country.
This image was captured at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas shows the importance of the men on the cheer squad. These members obviously worked on their heavy lifting abilities to be able to throw these cheerleaders into the air.
Time to Celebrate
Sisterhood was incredibly important to a lot of professional cheerleaders back in the day because of all of the horrible inequalities they were facing surrounding their pay and their uniforms. Many were friends with each other outside of work too.
Dana Presley Killmer, a former Dalla Cowboys cheerleader, said that she would be happy to do it again as it was one of the best experiences of her life. Even after all the trouble she went through in the job, it was the sisterhood that made it all worth it.
Lots of Body Shaming
As you may expect from a job that puts a lot of focus and pressure on appearance, a lot of cheerleaders from back in the day talk about how they were body-shamed by coaches, owners, and fans. Killmer, who joined the Cowboys in the 1980s, said she was on a list called ‘thighs.’
All cheerleaders were permitted to be weighed and measured before each practice, and if the desired number didn’t show up, you were sent home. There were other lists for girls who needed to lose five or ten pounds.
Just the Two of Us
This picture taken back in 1955 shows a relatively plained clothed pair of cheerleaders, however, we suspect that if the pictures were in color, you would be able to see just how fantastic and colorful their cheerleading uniforms are.
While women are mainly seen to be the most flexible, men play a vital role in the cheerleading squad too. Because they are able to gain muscles quickly, they have the ability to throw girls high in the air so that they can perform tricks and flips to impress the audience.
The Dallas Superstars
The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are some of the most iconic cheerleaders in history given their sudden and unexpected rebranding in the 1970s. After the debacle at the Super Bowl, their new head, Suzanne Mitchell, made the decision to make their uniforms smaller.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders would be dressed in short shorts with front-tie shirts and, of course, a white vest with cowboy boots to tie their look together. Cheerleaders would regularly be weighed and measured, and even today, the uniform hasn’t changed.
A Form of Protest
You wouldn’t think that cheerleaders could be radical — but in fact, back in the day, they were. While this may look like it’s edited, or even a still from a movie set in high school, we promise that this is very real.
These students from Virginia were putting on a performance for a Life magazine article as a protest against their school being one of the schools in the south closed by state officials while they tried to block court integration orders. We think they did a killer job!
Dirty Dancing in Real Life
As cheerleading routines in the 1980s became more dance and gymnastics focused, it’s no wonder that over the years, many cheerleading squads have tried to incorporate the iconic lift scene from one of the most popular movies of all time.
While it looks like this shot is taken of a pair creating reenacting the iconic lift scene in Dirty Dancing between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, this shot was actually taken at the NCAA finals in 1976 — 11 years before Dirty Dancing was released. Who did it better?
Full of Pep
This next vintage picture was taken of an Auburn cheerleader during a game against Alabama in Birmingham in 1971 — 50 years ago this year. If girls ever wanted to get noticed by potential teams to go professional, it was important for them to be full of pep.
However, it was also important that each cheerleader had their own distinct look so that they could be easily identified. These attributes would also be important for the girls that got picked, as two girls with the same identity on the team just wouldn’t work.
Double Standards
As with most things, there are double standards within cheerleading that many former cheerleaders spoke about during their time. They mentioned relationships with footballers in particular. Cheerleaders would often be banned from interacting with players before, during, and after games.
This was often due to the rumors around infidelity. Debbie Kepley, a former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, stated that many of the players were cheating on their partners with cheerleaders. However, if they were found out, the cheerleader took the blame instead of the player.
How High Can You Go?
This photo really shows the determination and the strength that some cheerleaders had back in the day. Having the ability to hold a whole other person on top of your shoulders without holding onto them is a massive achievement for both cheerleaders in this situation.
These cheerleaders are part of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and while we can’t see the colors due to the black and white picture, most cheerleading uniforms focused on white and another bright color for the female cheerleaders, and one color for the males.
Absolutely Flawless!
This picture is of a Denver Broncos cheerleader. It’s quite obvious how the radical overhaul of the Dallas Cowboys uniform had an impact on every other cheer squad. After all, the uniform is part of what draws audiences in.
This cheerleader has the same cropped waistcoat that can be seen on the Dallas Cowboys, along with tassels and sequins. This uniform also comes with tasseled cuffs and voluminous red pompoms. While it may not be as racy, it’s still a fantastic uniform!
A New Era
Looking at the New Utrecht High School cheerleader uniforms today, you would never believe that their vintage counterparts would be so similar. This photo was taken in 1957 and while miniskirts were frowned upon in those times, these girls still rocked them!
They have paired the signature loose jumper, however instead of a long, mid-length pleated skirt, this uniform features a light-colored miniskirt. This set the way for the new style of uniforms in later decades so that cheerleaders felt more comfortable in them.
Excited Team Member
While cheerleaders weren’t allowed to interact with players in case of infidelity rumors, that doesn’t mean they can’t get excited and show their support from the sidelines. This photo of a Louisiana State cheerleader from 1958 getting excited during a game against Mississippi proves just that.
While looking through old, vintage photos of cheerleaders, it isn’t uncommon to find pictures of cheerleaders either overjoyed at their team winning, or looking on through teary eyes as they suffer a loss. They could be worrying about the future of their work, too!
Ready to Rock
This photo is evidently from the 1980s. You cannot look at the hairstyle like that and not automatically think of the ’80s! This photo of the Los Angeles Rams cheerleader was taken in 1987 and shows the natural beauty that cheerleaders usually embody.
While cheerleaders in the 1950s were meant to look innocent, by the time the 1990s came around, cheerleaders were expected to apply a full face of makeup for their performances. As this picture was taken just before the ’90s, this cheerleader opted for a natural, subtle look.
A Group Effort
After it was decided in 1974 that cheerleading was, in fact, not a sport, Jeff Webb established the Universal Cheerleaders Association. It aimed to make cheerleading more stunt-based and athletic. It was also to deter girls from flocking to other sports.
Back when this picture was taken in 1958, cheerleading wasn’t classed as a sport. However, by 1975, over 500,000 people would be cheerleading. Most of these would mostly be women as the sport became more directed at enticing male audiences to games.
A Dangerous Sport
Due to the activities we see modern cheerleaders do, such as flips and acrobatics, it’s not wild to assume that cheerleading is actually quite a dangerous sport. Sometimes the stunts that some cheerleaders pull can be absolutely brutal.
In 2006, a cheerleader fell from the top of the pyramid at Southern Illinois University and ended up breaking her vertebrae, bruising her lung, and suffered a concussion. However, she still carried on performing while being carried away in a stretcher. What a team player!
School Spirit
These are some of the most amazing cheerleading uniforms that we’ve ever seen! This photo of the Louisiana State University tiger and cheerleaders was taken in 1959 after their victory over Rice University. And while that’s an exciting feat, we just can’t stop looking at those uniforms.
Not only were these outfits so ahead of their time by featuring a miniskirt, but they were also made from a gold material and featured a cape. These cheerleaders must have really felt like superheroes whilst showing off their practiced routines.
Lots of Training
It looks like training to become a cheerleader was not for the faint-hearted. This picture from the 1960s shows squad training under Bill Horan, who was an infamous cheerleading coach and also ran the American Cheerleaders Association.
These legendary sessions taught by Horan had the girls acting like soldiers in a marine boot camp. He would keep them under strict control and lead with an iron fist. Horan once said they keep the girls off balance so they’re always on their toes with him.
Leading Double Lives
Many of those who used to cheer in the 1980s and 1990s have spoken about the weird rules they had to live by. While they may have been forced to dress provocatively during their performances, they were expected to act prude in their personal lives.
This was because managers wanted to make the cheerleaders seem unattainable. Some of these wacky rules included not being allowed to chew gum, they weren’t allowed to wear blue jeans, or even drink in public. These days, this would definitely be going to court.
Getting More Modern
This photo looks like it could have been taken yesterday. Instead, this photo is actually taken in 1988. It shows cheerleaders for the Los Angeles Lakers doing their routine during a game versus the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles.
As these are basketball cheerleaders rather than football cheerleaders, the uniforms will vary drastically. Instead of wearing revealing clothes in an attempt to entice male audiences, these women are wearing loose-fitting t-shirts and athletic shorts, which are perfect for their intended use.
A Real Beauty
Above all, while cheerleaders did endure tough conditions back in the day, their actions helped to pave a fairer and more balanced life for professional cheerleaders today. Cheerleaders nowadays won’t have to pay for their own uniform or travel like they used to.
While it may not be an easy job, it’s definitely one that many people love and will have fond memories of. These vintage photos have shown us how different trends during the decades inspired how the uniforms looked, and have made us all quite nostalgic!
By Thalia Shepherd –
4th of July Popsicles
When you were a kid, there were very few things as exciting as hearing that ice cream truck jingle from a distance.
You’d run back inside to grab some change and head out in hopes to catch the truck in time before it turned off your street. That’s why people are often transported back to their youth when they take a bite from a 4th of July popsicle.
Gumdrops
Spending days or summers with the grandparents is a wonderful memory that many people hold dear. There were some things that you would get at grandma and grandpa’s house that you just didn’t have access to when you were at home.
Many people equate this to certain candies, like butterscotch candies or gumdrops. There’s something about those sugar-coated sweets that just send you back to those sweet days.
Beef Stew
On cool fall days, it was always great to come home to a warm soup or stew. There’s something about those flavors and textures that can bring you back to happy memories sitting around the table with the family.
Of these, beef stew may be the most memorable. And though every family would have their own recipe, the feelings that were inspired by eating it were the same — love and family.
Chipped Beef
Many families occasionally make breakfast for dinner. For some kids growing up, this is an exciting time because not only is the food delicious, but you get to eat things that you normally wouldn’t be able to during the evening hours.
For some families, that meant chipped beef — a form of beef that’s pressed, salted, dried, and sliced into thin pieces. When those kids grow up and find this dish again, it will definitely elicit some wonderful memories.
Spaghetti and Homemade Sauce
For those families who have a strong connection to their Italian heritage, there are many different meals that may trigger sweet memories. Of those, the one that’s possibly the most common is spaghetti with a homemade sauce.
The love and care that went into that sauce can bring back memories of mom or grandma in the kitchen, toiling away for hours to find just the right balance of herbs to perfect their special sauce.
Fresh Figs
Sometimes, memories aren’t produced by elaborate meals or pre-made things but rather experiences that you had with your loved ones. For instance, your grandmother or mother may have been a gardener and kept a beautiful fig tree in the backyard.
That might lead you to be taken back to a simpler time just by simply eating a nice, juicy, fresh fig. That seems to be what’s happening for this gentleman.
Hot Chocolate
A nice cup of hot cocoa is a fine memory for almost any child. Every family may have their own little twist on the delicious wintertime beverage — and that’s what makes it a tradition.
For this person, this cup of hot chocolate takes them back to cold winter days; they’d curl up with their mom and watch the snowfall. We don’t know about you, but a nice hot cup of cocoa could really hit the spot right about now.
Eggo
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But because of hectic lives, many families have to figure out quick and easy ways to get the meal in.
That’s why many adults nowadays feel a sense of nostalgia whenever they spot Eggo waffles in the freezer section at the grocery store. Biting into one of these bad boys after you’ve toasted it can definitely have you yearning for the good old days.
Hot Dogs
Kids are typically a little pickier than adults when it comes to what they will and won’t eat. There are just some meals that scream kid-friendly, and one of those happens to be hot dogs. We don’t mean just any hot dog, though — a boiled hot dog.
Biting into a boiled hot dog that’s been mixed in with macaroni and cheese or even just slapped on a bun with some ketchup and mustard can definitely bring you back to childhood.
Baked Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Mac ‘n’ cheese is another one of those meals that almost every kid across the globe likes. Sure, there may be variations of this dish, and some might like the boxed version versus a homemade version.
But, mac ‘n’ cheese is always present in most people’s memories. For many, the homemade version definitely brings back more nostalgia because these recipes tend to be family-specific.
Barbecue Chicken
During the summer, many families like to go outdoors and cook up meals. That’s why a lot of childhood favorites can be found at barbecues. For instance, when some people bite into that saucy barbecue chicken, they’re automatically transported back to their youth.
There’s something about the charred pieces and homemade sauce that simply can’t be beaten and always leads people into a trip to the past.
Grape Soda
When you’re a kid, you want to be just like the adults, and that means drinking things that they drink. For many people who come from a family that’s very active, that might mean trying to drink something like Gatorade.
Gatorade isn’t necessarily great for a kid, though, so this family found a nice alternative by watering down some grape soda. Now, every time this person tastes grape soda, they’re transported back in time.
Sunny-Side Up Eggs and Sausage
Some nostalgic meals happen at night when everybody can sit down around the dinner table. For others, the food that brings them back to their past the most is breakfast, and that typically means some sort of egg dish.
For this person, anytime they get an egg sunny-side up with some sausage, it’s one of those comfort meals that make them think about time spent at the breakfast table with their family.
Tuna Fish Sandwich
Many kids were sent to school with homemade lunches that typically consisted of some sort of sandwich, chips, and a drink. That may lead them to be particularly reminiscent of the past when it comes to certain types of sandwiches.
This person just happens to feel that way anytime they bite into a tuna fish sandwich on white bread with a pickle on the side. We’re sure this only happens if that tuna fish sandwich is made just the way his mom used to make it, though.
Belgian Chocolate
Sometimes, nostalgic foods are found through travel. For kids who were lucky enough to either live in a foreign country or grow up with parents who loved to travel, they may have a diverse palate.
This person spent some time in Belgium, so anytime they bite into a sweet chocolate morsel like that, they’re instantly back on the road with their parents enjoying another adventure.
Mollete
In many cultures, bread is a wonderful food that can trigger a variety of memories. For those who grew up in a Mexican household, mollete may be one of those foods that instantly takes them back to their childhood kitchen.
This bread with beans and cheese, often topped with some sort of salsa, can be the perfect comfort food for those who grew up with it. We’ve never tried it, but it definitely looks amazing!
Egg Tarts
There are multiple varieties of this delicious treat. But, for those who grew up with this delicacy, it can definitely be the perfect way to bring back the sweetest of memories. Biting into the crispy crust and soft egg-filled center and tasting just a hint of sweetness is enough to transport you back to simpler times.
We can definitely understand how a small treat like this could be something that brings up fond memories and makes you feel warm inside.
Apple Pie
Holidays can be the biggest trigger when it comes to memories that are attached to foods. For instance, many families have get-togethers where there are several different types of desserts available.
In the United States, one of the pies that are almost always present is apple pie. When they bite into that warm dessert with either ice cream or cool whip, many people instantly begin to think about family get-togethers from the past.
Chorizo Con Huevos
Eggs and sausage are a staple in many different cultures when it comes to breakfast.
Those households that have a strong root in Mexican culture will definitely have had chorizo con huevos on the menu quite often. When they bite into this egg and sausage mixture, people immediately begin to think of memories from years gone by.
Biscuits and Gravy
If you grew up in the South, you will definitely have had biscuits and gravy for breakfast. That homemade gravy that your mom slaved over for what felt like hours and those fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuits are definitely a household staple for many.
Having a big old plate of these with some sausage completes the whole meal, and can definitely be a way to pull at those heartstrings.
Jell-O
There’s something about making Jell-O and playing with it a bit before you eat it that just screams childhood for many of us. That is probably why people nowadays are instantly filled with a sense of nostalgia when they bite into that sweet gelatin snack.
There’s not much to it and it’s definitely not the healthiest, but we can understand why it’s a popular treat. Plus, there’s a sense of joy that overtakes you when you peel back that aluminum cover and dip your spoon in.
Peach Cobbler
Many kids rush through their meals just to get their dessert. If you came from a place that was well-known for their peaches — or had access to juicy peaches — one of these desserts was probably peach cobbler.
If that was you, then biting into the sweet treat fills you with all sorts of warm feelings — especially if it’s topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This sounds so good!
Egg Soldiers
Toast and eggs go hand-in-hand when it comes to breakfast. There are many different variations, but perhaps one of the most beloved is egg soldiers.
Taking a piece of toasted bread and dipping it in a soft-boiled egg might just be the most beloved childhood memory for some. This breakfast may have originated in United Kingdom. But, it definitely branched out and has become a popular kids’ breakfast.
Shirley Temple
It’s always fun when you can have a drink with your parents and feel like you’re one of the adults. Though there’s an adult beverage called Shirley Temple, many kids have fond memories of the virgin kind.
A sparkling soda with a bit of grenadine and some maraschino cherries definitely makes for a refreshing and sweet treat that could bring back a wave of fun memories.
Otter Pops
Many kids have fond memories of summers, not only because it was the time when families took a vacation, but also because they didn’t have school and got to play all day — every day. One of the treats many kids got ahold of during this time was Otter Pops.
That’s why no matter how old they are, if people get their hands on one of them now, they grab their favorite color and begin to tell stories of times gone by.
Chili Mac
Sometimes, for kids who grew up in a busy household, pasta was always something that was readily available. To make things more exciting, many moms added their own special touches.
Some of them actually made it into a Tex-Mex meal to give a little bit of variety. That’s why a lot of adults take a bite of chili mac and wind up feeling giddy.
Shortbread Cookies
For many people, when they head over to grandma and grandpa’s house, they know that they’re going to find a delicious treat ready for them. For some, this often means delicious shortbread cookies.
Taking these delicious treats and dipping them in cocoa or even tea can definitely bring back some nostalgic feelings for many. Whether they were just plain or sugared, these little cookies are definitely very memorable.
Pierogies
Pierogies are delicious little dumplings from Eastern Europe that are filled with a variety of different things. They’re often served with caramelized onions and sour cream for dipping.
For kids who grew up in a household with an Eastern European background, it’s inevitable that pierogies would be one of those foods you just crave when you want a piece of home.
Meatloaf
It may seem simple — some ground beef, onions, and a little bit of tomato sauce — but meatloaf is one of those meals that many people consider nostalgic.
Paired with some mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, and a salad, it makes for quite a memory-inducing meal. Whether people order it at a restaurant or have it right at home, meatloaf can bring back memories.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
A one-pan meal can be a lifesaver for a family that has two working parents. Because this has become more and more prominent over the past few decades, meals like tuna noodle casserole have found a place amongst the plethora of nostalgic foods.
Every family may has a slight variation, but they’re all basically the same — and when you bite into it, it may have you feeling some type of way.
Pastina
Any type of soup can potentially produce different types of memories. For those who grew up in an Italian household, we’re sure that Pastina is definitely on that list. Though Pastina refers to the pasta part of the dish, when most people talk about it, they’re talking about the soup itself.
This soup is simply made using vegetable stock, Pastina pasta, and a broken-up egg. A spoonful of this yummy soup is definitely the way to some people’s hearts.
Hamburger Helper
Sometimes, when everybody is very busy, quick and easy is the key to making sure everybody has a filling meal.
For many households, that means prepackaged meals such as Hamburger Helper. Easily made from scratch, there’s something about biting into the pasta that can transport you back in time.
Cabbage Rolls
There are just some meals that you ate regularly through your childhood that found their way into your heart. One of these could very well be cabbage rolls, especially if you’re from an Eastern European heritage.
These delicious, stuffed cabbage leaves are usually topped with some sort of tomato sauce and served with sour cream. One bite of that mixture often makes you remember fond memories.
Pinto Beans and Cornbread
Traditions and foods don’t only vary around the world, but also from region to region in the U.S. Pinto beans and cornbread is a southern staple. This is a meal that’s often served during special occasions and is usually paired with collard greens.
That’s why many kids who grew up in the South bite into this simple dish and wind up reminiscing.
White Rice and Soy Sauce
Many kids grow up in households with a tighter budget. Because of this, there are many dishes that come from simple ingredients that bring back memories of their youth.
Rice and soy sauce are both cheap! That’s why a lot of people have a nostalgic fondness for a bowl of simple white rice with soy sauce on it. We honestly think that sounds good right about now!
