What did you love to eat as a child? Growing up in the 90s, I enjoyed the standard American fare as many others did, like meat, dairy, packaged snacks and heat-and-eat foods from a box. As I got older and changed my diet, I gave up some of the more popular convenience food brands. Fortunately, many of my old favorites, likes chips, cheese, bacon, cupcakes and toaster pastries, have now been re-imagined, plant-based style. Many of them are available at your nearest grocery store. Oh how the times have changed!

Here are some favorite foods from childhood that have now been re-imagined, vegan style.

The Classic: Cheez-Its Cheez-Its were a great choice for parties or nights when we wanted to veg on the couch. New Version: Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Flavor Squares Instead of the usual brand, try a dairy-free version. Earth Balance makes Vegan Cheddar Flavor Squares that do not contain any GMOs or trans fat.

Image: Veggie Kids

The Classic: Grilled Cheddar Cheese

Enjoying a sandwich of ooey-gooey cheese between two pieces of buttered and toasted bread was a staple of childhood. I’ve always loved mine with cheddar and tomatoes.

New Version: Grilled Teese Vegan Cheddar Cheese

Try making the whole sandwich vegan! Use Earth Balance Buttery Spreads instead of butter and Teese Vegan Cheddar Cheese instead of the dairy version.

Image: Teese

The Classic: Pretzel Sticks With Mustard

Like many from the Cincinnati area with German Ancestry, I’m a huge pretzel lover. As a child, I would get those gigantic soft pretzels at fairs and smother them in mustard.

New Version: Rudi’s Bakery Multigrain Organic Soft Pretzels

The Rudi’s Bakery Multigrain Soft Pretzels are an organic, healthier version of this treat.



Image: Go Dairy Free

The Classic: Nachos With Classic Cheese Sauce From the Concession Stand

Remember grabbing some nachos and cheese-like sauce from the concession stand at the public pool or baseball games? It was SO yellow and so delicious.

New Version: Nachos With Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce

Pop open a bag of tortilla chips, melt some Teese Nacho Cheese Sauce and let’s party!



Image: Teese

The Classic: Lays Sour Cream and Onion Chips

Sour cream and onion is pretty much the best chip flavor ever.

New Version: Earth Balance Vegan Sour Cream & Onion Flavor Kettle Chips

Earth Balance makes Vegan Sour Cream & Onion Flavor Kettle Chips that are gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher. They also contain zero grams of trans fat.

The Classic: Bacon

Pretty much everyone likes bacon, and it was a staple food item for breakfast in my household.

New Version: LightLife Smart Bacon Meatless Veggie Strips

For a healthier, meat-free way to enjoy this classic favorite, try LightLife Smart Bacon.



Image: LightLife

The Classic: Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips

This flavor doesn’t need to have dairy products, but you’ll find some brands that use milk.

New Version: Kettle Brand Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips

These Kettle Brand Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips are vegan, crunchy and just the right amount of tangy.



Image: iherb

The Classic: Cool Ranch Doritos

Doritos were always awesome for after-school snacks or in little bags that accompanied our packed lunches.

New Version: Beanfields Ranch Bean & Rice Chips

Now, Beanfields makes Ranch-flavored chips from beans and rice. They’re gluten-free and contain four grams of fiber and four grams of protein per serving.

Image: Petakids

The Classic: Cheesy Popcorn