Most of the foods that the older generation loved back in their childhoods are still around today, but something isn’t right. In their opinion, many of these foods just aren’t the same as they used to be and have changed in many subtle ways. Here are some they say have changed the most compared to their traditional equivalents.
Hot Dogs
Back in the day, hot dogs were simpler, with a more meatier, more satisfying flavor. Nowadays, they are often filled with additives and preservatives that change their taste and texture. Many Boomers feel that the hot dogs they enjoyed at ballgames or family barbecues just aren’t the same anymore, which is bizarre because they’re so simple that we thought they could never be ruined.
Bread
Another classic food item that all Boomers can agree on is not the same anymore, which is bread. It used to be freshly baked, often sourced from local bakeries, but nowadays, it’s mostly mass-produced, losing much of its fresh, robust flavor and texture. The convenience of pre-packaged loaves has led to a decline in the quality that Boomers fondly remember from their youth.
Soda
Once a special treat with a strong, crisp flavor and made with real sugar, soda now just tastes overly sweet and artificial due to the high fructose corn syrup and other additives that it’s made from. The fizzy refreshment that Boomers loved seems to have lost its original spark, yet they’ve never been more popular.
TV Dinners
Originally a novelty, TV dinners were considered a treat during the childhoods of Boomers, but these days, they’re not good at all. They often lack the hearty, flavorful appeal they once had, and what’s more, the simplicity of a complete meal in a tray has been overshadowed by less appealing, often bland versions that miss the mark on both taste and nostalgia.
Ice Cream
Tragically, even something as simple as ice cream has changed for the worse. It used to be a rich, indulgent treat made with real cream and natural ingredients, but today’s offerings frequently include a ton of artificial additives and sweeteners, resulting in a product that feels less like the creamy delight it once was and more like a shadow of its former self, which is sad to see.
Breakfast Cereal
During the ‘60s and ‘70s, cereal was crunchy, delicious, and actually quite nutritious, but that couldn’t be further than the case these days. Even the “healthy options” are now packed with sugary food colorings, resembling candy more than a healthy start to the day. Despite this, modern kids still love eating it for breakfast, which, in Boomers’ eyes, is diabetes waiting to happen.
Canned Soup
It wasn’t so long ago that canned soups were hearty and filled with recognizable, healthy ingredients, but they’re now commonly criticized for their overly processed nature and lack of real flavor. Boomers often lament the loss of the comforting, home-cooked taste that canned soups used to provide, wondering how something so basic could be messed up so badly.
Cheese
Another classic food that has changed beyond recognition is cheese, which is now generally highly processed and lacking depth of flavor and texture. Even worse is how it is presented; these days, it seems more common to find cheese in a can or tube than it is in a block, which seems insane.
Peanut Butter
Despite originally consisting of just peanuts, butter, and maybe a bit of salt, modern versions of peanut butter contain so much added sugars and oils, which many Boomers feel detract from its pure, nutty goodness. The straightforward, wholesome spread they grew up with has been replaced by something less authentic, and it seems almost impossible to find the good stuff anymore.
Chocolate
Back in the day of the Boomers, chocolate bars were a simple indulgence with a rich cocoa flavor, but now, they hardly contain any actual chocolate; it’s all just artificial fillers and additives. The end result is still very popular with kids, but it just doesn’t satisfy Boomers in the same way.
Potato Chips
Anyone who was alive in the ‘60s and ‘70s will agree that potato chips used to be thicker. Modern chips are so thin that you can barely taste the potato among all the artificial flavors and excessive salt. To make matters worse, chips have become one of the biggest victims of “shrinkflation,” with packs containing a fraction of the product that they once did.
Hamburgers
When you buy a hamburger nowadays, there’s always a ton of unnecessary ingredients, grease, and often even sugary syrups added, and the patties themselves are so processed. This wasn’t always the case, though; burgers were once juicy, beefy, and straightforward, and they were usually homemade.
Jelly
Once made from whole fruits and natural sugars, jelly was a rich, fruity spread that Boomers loved having in their sandwiches, especially with some old-school peanut butter. Sadly, today’s jelly always seems to contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, losing the authentic taste that Boomers remember.
Milk
We never could have imagined how mutated milk would become; it used to be delivered fresh and had a creamier, richer taste, tasting like it came straight from the cow. Unfortunately, the process of ultra-pasteurization and mass production has changed its flavor and texture completely—it’s like a different drink altogether.
Chicken Pot Pie
Any Boomer will remember back when Chicken pot pies were filled with tender chunks of chicken and hearty vegetables in a savory gravy—they were a true homemade favorite of ours. Today, they’re still about but feature more filler and less actual meat and vegetables. The comfort and satisfaction of a well-made pot pie seem to be harder to find unless you make one yourself.
Pancakes
Somehow, modern food producers seem to have messed up pancakes, too. The once fluffy and homemade breakfast staple has now been replaced by instant mixes and ready-made options, which, frankly, are pretty gross. The texture and taste are completely different now, making Boomers wonder what Gen Z sees in them.
Candy Bars
Perhaps the most disappointing food item these days in comparison to the original is the simple candy bar, which now resembles complete junk rather than a wholesome, sweet treat. They’re packed with additives and chemical substances like popping candy, but kids still love them, although that’s probably just because of the immense sugar rush they give them.