From Hamburger Helper to Spread ‘n Heat Pizza: 25 Quirky Food Ads From the 1970s

Written by Rachel Schneider on May 29, 2025 updated June 3, 2025

On the left, a can and a glass of Tab soda with ice and condensation. On the right, a slice of bread with pizza spread is held above an open container labeled "Spread’n Heat Pizza.

Food ads in the 1970s were wordy, colorful, and descriptive. The ads didn’t just showcase a product, they showed consumers how to elevate it. Everything was straightforward, so no one had to guess how to use that pizza kit or what kind of food to expect in a Libbyland TV dinner. To get a glimpse of what everyone was buying for dinner in the ’70s, here are some of the decade’s most delicious — and deliciously weird — food ads.

1. Kellogg’s Product 19 (1970)

A vintage advertisement for Kellogg’s Product 19 cereal shows a red cereal box and a bowl of flakes with milk and strawberries. Text highlights the cereal’s high vitamin and iron content for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. — robbjuteau

2. General Mills Monster Cereals (1971)

Two cereal boxes: Count Chocula (chocolate flavor, vampire mascot) and Franken Berry (strawberry flavor, pink Frankenstein mascot) with bowls of cereal. Text promotes them as "Nutritious Monsters. — algebramclain

3. McDonald’s Big Mac Value Meal (1971)

A McDonald's ad features fries, a soft drink, a Big Mac, and a smiling employee in uniform hat. The text highlights "The Big Meal" as a great deal for dinner. — Kevin_Finkel

4. Campbell’s Soup on the Rocks (1972)

A hand pours Campbell’s Beef Broth from a can into a glass with ice cubes. Text below reads "Soup on the rocks." Additional text and branding appear at the bottom. — UserDeleted

5. Libbyland TV Dinner (1972)

A young boy in a sweater holds up an open tray of a Libbyland Safari Supper frozen dinner, showing different food sections. The ad features text describing the meals and images of three Libbyland dinner packages at the bottom. — Djf47021

6. Chef Boyardee Complete Pizza Mix (1972)

A round pizza topped with hard-boiled egg slices, anchovies, and onions sits on a wooden board. Surrounding the pizza are eggs, onions, grated cheese, and a pizza cutter on a rustic table. — Slow-moving-sloth

7. Marathon Candy Bar (1973)

Advertisement for Marathon candy bar featuring a hand holding a long, wavy chocolate bar with caramel and the text: "FREE Marathon candy bar," "Nobody eats a Marathon fast!" and "It lasts a good long time! — DiosMioMan63

8. Hamburger Helper (1973)

Six boxes of Hamburger Helper dinner mixes are displayed upright, showing different flavors including Rice Oriental, Cheeseburger Macaroni, Hash, Tomato, Potato Stroganoff, and Beef Noodle. Text appears at the bottom. — UserDeleted

9. Chun King Foods Frozen Dinner (1974)

An advertisement for Chun King Chinatown Style Frozen Dinners shows a dinner box and a metal tray with shrimp chow mein, pepper oriental, rice, vegetables, and egg rolls. The ad features bold text introducing the meal. — Hooverpaul

10. Libby’s Spread ‘n Heat Pizza (1975)

A vintage advertisement shows a slice of bread topped with pizza-flavored spread beside an open container labeled "Spread'n Heat Pizza." A spreading knife with some of the spread rests on a yellow plate. — RobotRollCall24

11. Yule Log (1975)

A retro magazine ad features a sliced frozen yule log dessert with pineapple rings, cherries, and almonds, along with cans of Dole sliced pineapple and a jar of Miracle Whip, and the recipe text. — grsims20

12. Kraft Dinners (1975)

A plate with Kraft macaroni and cheese, a sausage, and a tomato wedge is set with a knife and fork. An open Kraft Macaroni & Cheese box sits in the lower left. Text above offers meal tips. — FNaXQ

13. Seven Up Candy Bar (1975)

A vintage candy wrapper showing a chocolate bar with seven sections labeled mint, nougat, butterscotch, fudge, coconut, butter cream, and caramel. Text reads "NEW Seven Up Milk Chocolate Candy. — robbjuteau

14. Heinz Spaghetti (1975)

A young child sits at a table eating spaghetti from a plate with a fork, next to a glass of milk. Behind is a floral-patterned wallpaper. Heinz spaghetti cans are shown in the corner with advertising text. — TastyCereal2

15. Pringles (1975)

A vintage Pringles ad shows a can of "Newfangled Potato Chips" with a pile of whole, stacked chips beside it. Text highlights freshness and unbroken chips. A small photo shows a woman and child enjoying chips. — AxlCobainVedder

16. Burger King (1975)

A smiling family of four sits at a Burger King booth, enjoying burgers, fries, and drinks. The text below reads, "Have it your way. Burger King. It’s the only way. — susierabbit

17. Betty Crocker Spoon & Bake Cookie Dough (1975)

A can of Betty Crocker Spoon & Bake Chocolate Flavor Chip cookie dough is opened, with a spoon scooping out dough. Below are images of unbaked and baked cookies, a woman eating a cookie, and four dough can varieties. — TaimSolas

18. Leo’s Sandwich Meats (1976)

A family of four anthropomorphic lions enjoy a picnic on grass, eating sandwiches with Leo’s sandwich meats. Packaged deli meats are displayed on a picnic blanket. Text below describes the products. — UserDeleted

19. Flintstones Yabba Dabba Dew (1976)

Three cans of Yabba Dabba Dew fruit drinks—orange, red fruit, and grape—are displayed with cartoon character Fred Flintstone promoting them. Text promotes the drinks and includes Fred’s catchphrase, “Yabba Dabba Dew.” — FNaXQ

20. Dinty Moore (1977)

A smiling man and woman sit at a dinner table serving beef stew from a can. The text below advertises Dinty Moore Beef Stew, emphasizing its affordability and meat content, with a can shown at the bottom of the image. — Slow-moving-sloth

21. Hunt’s Manwich (1977)

Two men sit at a table; one looks enviously as the other smiles, holding a large sandwich. A can of Hunt’s Manwich sauce is on the table. Text promotes Manwich as a hearty meal, not just a sandwich. — UserDeleted

22. Oscar Mayer Chopped Ham (1978)

A display of various Oscar Mayer deli meats and cheeses in yellow packages, arranged in a grid. Text above describes the creation of Oscar Mayer Chopped Ham. A large image of chopped ham appears at the top. — RedKittieKat

23. Jeno’s Pizza Rolls (1979)

A vintage advertisement for Jeno’s 12 Pizza Rolls (Sausage & Cheese) shows a box of the product above a man in a suit with a quote inviting readers to request a free recipe booklet. — algebramclain

24. Chicken of the Sea (1979)

A smiling woman holds a platter of tuna tacos in front of two people wearing sports jerseys. Below, there's a can of Chicken of the Sea tuna and text endorsing the product, including a large headline about U.S. Government approval. — Vin_du_toilette

25. Tab by Coca-Cola (1979)

A cold can of Tab diet soda with condensation sits next to a glass filled with the fizzy drink. Text above reads "Classic Refreshment." and below reads "Great taste. One calorie. TAB. — morganmonroe81

Looking for more retro food content?

Feast your eyes on 11 Dishes We Ate in the ’80s That Were Considered Extra Fancy and 15 Dishes That Defined High-Class Dining in the 1970s. Plus, be sure to check out 14 Dishes From the 1960s That Defined Sophistication and These 19 Photos of McDonald’s in the ’70s Are a Serious Blast From the Past.