when "new and improved" is anything but, and tricky packaging

Usually when a food company "improves" on something, I'm not impressed. I liked my less crunchy, less "tasty" TLC crackers. I can't stand the new ones. When I told Hubby I didn't like them, he tried one (he too hates wasting food) and said, "Well, these are just stale." Alas, I had just opened them. Sigh. So long TLC crackers.Or Raisin Bran "Crunch..." (At least I can still get the original, but once I brought home the crunch by accident...)Which brings me to another pet peeve if you will allow. When the packaging looks so similar that you bring home something totally different than you want. A few examples:

  • Morningstar veggie sausage patty, Maple Syrup flavor looks the same as original. NOT the same. Yuck.
  • Oatnut bread, "high protein," slightly different shade of green than Honey Oat. Too dense, dry, totally different.
  • Muir Glen or any other canned tomato that has added stuff in it, like Jalapenos or garlic, when I just want tomatoes. Make the cans look more distinct!
  • "Mexican" shredded cheese that is cheese with spices in it, versus the "Mexican" blend which is just a variety of shredded cheese...

How about you? Have you been fooled by similar packaging? Miss an original that was "improved?" Moms of picky eaters or children on the spectrum, have you been burned by this issue? Some kids with sensory issues are VERY particular about the brand, texture etc. Lesson I am learning is to slow down when I'm shopping!Feeding tip: Try not to serve foods in their original packages to small children, or children on the spectrum or with sensory issues. Some kids get stuck on the packaging and demand the same foods from the same package. If you are starting solids, take the foods out of the containers and serve from your own bowls and plates.P.S, sorry if I've "yucked someone's yum" as my reader shared her favorite phrase...

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"mindful" eating, what it is and isn't, and why kids don't need it

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butter or raw tofu block: from the sublime to the ridiculous...