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The War on Delicious and 19 Other TIME Magazine Food Covers

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No carbs or no fat? Local or organic? Vegetarian or carnivore?

These and many other questions have been the subject of more than a dozen TIME cover stories over the years, including this week’s look at the latest science about the potential harms of a diet heavy in red and processed meat. (Read, “The War on Delicious” here.) Though that diet is, to some, a beloved American tradition—and, to others, merely delicious—it’s more clear than ever that there’s reason to reconsider it. Or, as TIME’s Dec. 18, 1972, cover declared it: “Eating May Not Be Good for You.”

Read the “War on Delicious” and the rest of the Nov. 9 issue of TIME here.

See TIME’s food coverage over the years, here in the TIME Vault

Pro-Sugar Ads From the '60s and '70s

A pro-sugar ad that appeared in the Aug. 14, 1964, issue of TIMEIn a "note to mothers," the ad explains that no-sugar drinks could not provide children with the energy they need.Sugar Information
A pro-sugar ad that appeared in the July 25, 1969, issue of TIMEA little sugar before a meal—"in a soft drink, or a candy bar"—curbs cravings that can lead to overeating.Sugar Information
A pro-sugar ad that appeared in the Oct. 10, 1969, issue of TIME"I think of sugar as extra willpower," says the man in this ad.Sugar Information
A pro-sugar ad that appeared in the May 10, 1971, issue of TIMEAn ice cream cone before lunch keeps you energized, giving you the power to eat less during the meal. Sugar Information
A pro-sugar ad that appeared in the Aug. 30, 1971, issue of TIMEIf your friends are avoiding sugar for health reasons, this ad asks, how does that make sense? After all, kids eat lots of sugar and stay thin. Sugar Information
A pro-sugar ad that appeared in the Dec. 11, 1972, issue of TIMESugar helps kids, this campaign informs readers, by providing energy and "a sense of satisfaction and well-being."Sugar Information
The War on Delicious Bacon Time Magazine Cover
TIME Photo-Illustration. Bacon: Donald Erickson–Getty Images
June 23, 2014
The June 23, 2014, cover of TIMEPhotograph by Mitchell Feinberg for TIME
Dec. 3, 2012
The Dec. 3, 2012, cover of TIMECover Credit: PHOTOGRAPH BY DWIGHT ESCHLIMAN FOR TIME. FOOD STYLING BY KEVIN CRAFTS.
Sep. 12, 2011
The Sep. 12, 2011, cover of TIMECover Credit: PHOTOGRAPH BY BARTHOLOMEW COOKE FOR TIME
Aug. 31, 2009
The Aug. 31, 2009, cover of TIMECover Credit: PHOTOGRAPH FOR TIME BY BILL KALIS. INSETS, FROM LEFT: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY; JOHN UELAND FOR TIME.
Mar. 12, 2007
The Mar. 12, 2007, cover of TIMECover Credit: PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC ANTHONY JOHNSON/STOCKFOOD
May 3, 2004
The May 3, 2004, cover of TIMECover Credit: AARON GOODMAN
Oct. 20, 2003
The Oct. 20, 2003, cover of TIMECover Credit: AARON GOODMAN
Sep. 2, 2002
The Sep. 2, 2002, cover of TIMETIME
July 15, 2002
The July 15, 2002, cover of TIMETIME
Nov. 1, 1999
The Nov. 1, 1999, cover of TIMETIME
Jan. 8, 1996
The Jan. 8, 1996, cover of TIMECover Credit: MICHAEL EASTMAN & CLARK KINCAID
July 15, 1991
The July 15, 1991, cover of TIMECover Credit: MATTHEW KLEIN
Mar. 27, 1989
The Mar. 27, 1989, cover of TIMECover Credit: MATTHEW KLEIN
Aug. 26, 1985
The Aug. 26, 1985, cover of TIMECover Credit: MATTHEW KLEIN
Mar. 26, 1984
The Mar. 26, 1984, cover of TIMECover Credit: ANDREW UNANGST
Mar. 15, 1982
The Mar. 15, 1982, cover of TIMETIME
Aug. 10, 1981
The Aug. 10, 1981, cover of TIMECover Credit: HENRY WOLF
Dec. 19, 1977
The Dec. 19, 1977, cover of TIMETIME
Dec. 18, 1972
The Dec. 18, 1972, cover of TIMECover Credit: ROB CRANDALL

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com