# Foods that were "improved" where you prefer the old version **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402 "2011-05-10T15:59:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/21 "2011-05-10T19:06:54Z")
> [@mrklutz](#): > > Combos. > > This is actually a good thing, since they’re terrible for you. I suspect the original recipe was laced with heroin and the DEA forced them to change it. I could never open a bag without proceeding directly to the bottom, wallowing in cheesy crackery goodness. Then they “improved” the recipe and they hold no appeal for me at all. > > Mars, Inc… my arteries thank you. Hey! Didn’t Combos start out as a dog food first before becoming a snack? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/22 "2011-05-10T19:50:01Z")
The rock-hard things that are sold as SweeTarts today bear no resemblance to the SweeTarts I enjoyed as a child. They’re bigger, and have more exotic flavors (although they all seem to be artifically flavored apple), but it’s impossible to “bite 'em for a burst of flavor” as the slogan on the old package advised. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/23 "2011-05-10T19:50:46Z")
> [@mrklutz](#): > > Combos. > Then they “improved” the recipe and they hold no appeal for me at all. When was this change? ---
**Author:** ![Iggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Iggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggins)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/24 "2011-05-10T20:01:36Z")
Thirded on the Watchamacallits. I’ll add Nucoa margarine, now “buttery sticks”. And terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/25 "2011-05-10T20:41:44Z")
Alpha Bits cereal used to be frosted with an extra-thick crust of sugar. About 5 years ago, they went all health-conscious and got rid of the sugar altogether. Now they taste like cardboard. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/26 "2011-05-10T20:44:07Z")
Burger King’s fries. They changed their fries in the late 1990s (and had an ad campaign announcing it, featuring Mr. Potato Head); the change was that they started using sliced potatoes which were coated with starch before frying, to make them crispier. That it did, but I didn’t like the texture of the starch coating, and actually preferred the old, limper fries. (I note that it seems like they eventually modified the fries again; the starch coating doesn’t seem as heavy now.) ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/27 "2011-05-10T20:50:21Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > The rock-hard things that are sold as SweeTarts today bear no resemblance to the SweeTarts I enjoyed as a child. They’re bigger, and have more exotic flavors (although they all seem to be artifically flavored apple), but it’s impossible to “bite 'em for a burst of flavor” as the slogan on the old package advised. Oh yeah. They must be made out of limestone now. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/28 "2011-05-10T20:55:05Z")
Everything at Taco Bell. The switch from cane sugar to beat sugar in sodas. Domino’s pizza…when I was in college it was a staple, and now their pizza tastes like crap. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/29 "2011-05-10T20:58:18Z")
Heinz beans in molasses. We loved the old ones, but they changed the recipe to be more health conscious (less sodium/sugar iirc) and now they taste bland as all get out. They also didn’t advertise it, just quietly rolled out the new ones. We didn’t find out until we called them after eating a couple cans to complain and they told us the recipe had changed. If we wanted the old recipe we’d have to find the old label on cans. Then they sent us coupons for free beans. We ended up donating them to the food bank and now I hunt for a good recipe. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/30 "2011-05-10T21:01:39Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Classic Coke using sugar instead of HFCS > > McDonald’s fries, when they stopped using tallow. > > Probably others, too, but those are what come to mind first. Didn’t HoHos also used to be both much darker chocolate cake and much darker enrobing chocolate? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/31 "2011-05-10T21:02:37Z")
Breyer’s Vanilla ice cream with the little vanilla bean flecks in it. They claim it tastes the same without the little vanilla flecks. I don’t believe it. McDonald’s fries used to be crunchy back when they used lard. I hate them now. I am “meh” on the Wendy’s fries. Had a batch today, ate a few and dumped them. Either way they only taste good fresh out of the oil. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/32 "2011-05-10T21:09:06Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Breyer’s Vanilla Ice Cream. > > Used to be the greatest thing, wit a simple list of ingredients – cream, sugar, vanilla bean. That’s it, > > But then they went and added goddam **Tara Gum** to the thing, which ruined both the taste and the consistency, and adds nothing: > > [http://adailyscoop.com/2006/09/11/breyers-natural-ice-cream-and-tara-gum-unilevers-response/](http://adailyscoop.com/2006/09/11/breyers-natural-ice-cream-and-tara-gum-unilevers-response/) > > I refuse to buy it any more. **Cal** , I came in here to mention this exact product. Once again, our tastes (about food this time!) converge. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/33 "2011-05-10T23:34:16Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Wheatables crackers back in the late 1980s were great. Very, very yummy. But then they messed with the recipe and made 'em awful. Dunno if they’re even sold anymore. These were my absolute favorite when I was a kid. After school snack at least twice a week. The last box I tried made me so sad ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/34 "2011-05-11T00:09:27Z")
Pretty much everything. I don’t even say “new and improved” I say “new and unimproved” or “new and ruined” depending on the product. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/35 "2011-05-11T01:02:15Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Wendy’s fries is definitely one of them and I suspect they will switch back. This! Also the original Doritos were perfection. Stop adding more nacho cheese flavor to them dammit. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/36 "2011-05-11T01:24:17Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Burger King’s fries. They changed their fries in the late 1990s (and had an ad campaign announcing it, featuring Mr. Potato Head); the change was that they started using sliced potatoes which were coated with starch before frying, to make them crispier. That it did, but I didn’t like the texture of the starch coating, and actually preferred the old, limper fries. > > (I note that it seems like they eventually modified the fries again; the starch coating doesn’t seem as heavy now.) Yep, I was in shocked disbelief when I tasted those coated abominations. Haven’t ordered them since. Good to hear they backed off, but any company that would ever think such a fry was a good idea lost my business forever. Too bad, since I preferred their burgers to the other chains. (Although they’ve probably screwed that up too in the years since I’ve been there). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/37 "2011-05-11T01:49:51Z")
Stouffer’s Lasagne has been “improved” any number of times since I started eating it some 30 years ago, sometimes to such an extent that I have had to stop buying it until I notice that it has been “improved” again two or three years later. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/38 "2011-05-11T01:57:51Z")
BBQ Corn Nuts. They ruined those in the early 90’s and I haven’t had a Corn Nut since. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/39 "2011-05-11T02:02:43Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Good to hear they backed off, That’s okay, they spread the tastelessness to their other sides. I can’t believe how consistently close a company can come to having _all_ their starchy sides have literally no taste. Onion rings, fries, hash browns – all literally taste like cardboard. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402/40 "2011-05-11T03:22:12Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Stouffer’s Lasagne has been “improved” any number of times since I started eating it some 30 years ago, sometimes to such an extent that I have had to stop buying it until I notice that it has been “improved” again two or three years later. I came in to say the same thing, except for Michelina’s lasagna. They used to have this meaty sauce that was pretty good for a microwave dinner, but then they changed it and now it’s watery and slips off the noodle. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-were-improved-where-you-prefer-the-old-version/581402.md?page=3)