10 Popular Foods That Have Shrunk in Size Over the Years
If you feel like plenty of familiar foods are noticeably becoming smaller than they once were, you’re not imagining things. Companies have cut back sizes while keeping prices steady. Longtime buyers notice lighter bags and smaller portions.
And it’s even more frustrating when your favorite ones are following suit. Here are 15 foods that fans swear have shrunk and changed.
Pringles
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Once praised for their neat and never-ending stacking, today’s tubes are slimmer with chips packed at awkward angles. Many buyers say they feel more fragile and powdery, and popular flavors like cheesy or pizza taste faint. The container is also harder to reach into.
KFC
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Customers who grew up with larger drumsticks now joke about “Kentucky Fried Pigeon.” Family buckets feel skimpy, with smaller tenders and wings served at higher prices. Regulars note that a five-piece tender meal now costs nearly thirteen dollars in some areas with a smaller portion.
Burger King
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Regulars still talk about the $4.49 nugget deal, but fewer pieces now fill the box. Fries don’t seem to mound above the carton rim the way they once did. For those who relied on these meals as quick, filling lunches, ordering an extra side has become a common habit.
McDonald’s
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Fans noticed flatter buns and patties that barely filled them. Some pointed to single pickle slices or skimped sauces that felt like small betrayals. A cheeseburger in certain markets has gone from about $1.40 to over $2, and each bite feels less substantial than what older menus offered.
Lay’s
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Party‑size bags of sour cream and onion chips have dropped from 17.5 ounces to 15 ounces. Shoppers mention opening bags that look full only to find a shallow layer inside. The lighter servings mean hosts often need more bags for gatherings.
Doritos
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The bold, cheesy coating many remember feels thinner, and bags now hold fewer chips. A common size shrank from 9.75 ounces to 9.25 ounces without a price cut. Fans who used to end a movie night with orange‑tipped fingers say they notice the reduced flavor punch as well as the smaller servings.
Ben & Jerry’s
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A pint from years ago felt like an indulgence worth stretching out over several nights. Modern pints feel lighter in hand and vanish after a few spoonfuls. Prices climbed steadily and turned what was once a frequent treat into something many only grab when discounts roll around.
Häagen‑Dazs
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Häagen‑Dazs cartons no longer deliver the same heft. The containers are visually unchanged, yet consumers note that servings seem to vanish quickly. Rising costs and smaller sizes have turned what used to be a shareable dessert into something closer to an individual portion.
Tillamook
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This brand didn’t hide its change by openly shrinking cartons from 56 ounces to 48 while keeping packaging dimensions identical. Shoppers who were used to larger tubs had to adjust their recipes and serving habits. Some still talk about how they’d gladly pay a little extra to get that old size back.
Oreos
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Boxes that used to feel heavy now rattle with fewer cookies. Many bakers report needing two packages to match one older recipe. Longtime fans trade photos online comparing the thick, creamy centers they remember with today’s thinner layers and lighter stacks.
Pepperidge Farm
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Mint Milano cookies are remembered for their thick chocolate and mint layers, but today’s versions look noticeably smaller and lighter. People who buy them regularly share side‑by‑side comparisons online of old and new cookies.
Reese’s
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Party bags of miniatures appear the same but weigh less. Bakers who rely on them for cookies or brownies notice they now need extra bags to fill the same recipe. People also talk about how the chocolate‑to‑peanut‑butter ratio seems lighter.
M&M’s
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Those hefty party bags from years past held around 42 ounces, and people talk about how long they lasted. Current bags hover near 38 ounces, yet the price tags keep climbing. Even without checking the label, shoppers say the difference is obvious when lifting newer bags.
Quaker
Credit: Reddit
Lunchbox favorites like chewy granola bars have slimmed to around 0.84 ounces each. Parents compare older bars with today’s thinner ones and see a clear difference. Kids notice too, often finishing them faster, which leads families to run out midweek and make unplanned trips to restock.
Chobani
Credit: Reddit
Yogurt cups look familiar on the outside, but their contents dropped from 5.3 ounces to 4.5 ounces. Meal preppers often mention adding another snack to feel equally full. The change is subtle until you spoon through the last bit and realize there’s less to savor than before.