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It's always interesting to see what other people think of your culture's eating habits and having a look at foreign store shelves is a great way to do it. This is exactly what happened when skiptonskipper posted an image of what the "American Food" section looks like in the UK and other people followed up as well.

The majority of them feature sugar. Lots and lots of it. Pop-Tarts, cookies, soft drinks, and various candies are among the most popular choices, however there is one product that seems to be everywhere - marshmallow fluff! According to findings in Ireland, Australia, Spain, Germany, the UK, and other countries this is one of the most American-like food there is. It would be interesting to hear what our American readers think of these "menus"!

#1

American Food Section In England

American Food Section In England

skiptonskipper Report

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Mari Fletcher
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is either my local Tesco or Sainsbury's. Sorry cousins, but that's how you're percived thanks mostly to the TV.

Jen Jamieson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American living in Ireland, the main reason the shelves look like that are because those are just the things that we miss that you can't already buy over here. Not what is considered an entire diet 😂

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Stephen Harris
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks just like the "British Food" section in my local supermarket in France !?!

Caroline R
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article is misleading. The photo above is from a special section in Tesco for imported big-branded US foods that you can't get in the UK. It's aimed at Americans and it's not supposed to represent ALL American food. If you want fresh burgers, apple pie, Tex Mex, you just go and buy the ingredients in the rest of the supermarket. Most of the stuff here the ordinary person in the UK hasn't even heard of, so it's certainly not what springs to their mind when they think of US food.

Anne Cox
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in London for nine years. This is not how they perceive Americans--these are foods that Americans miss when they live abroad; foods that don't really have an English equivalent. I used to have friends send me Pepperidge Farm sugar cookies and Skippy peanut butter because there was nothing like that there.

Olivia W
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not saying that Americans only eat junk like in the picture, it's just that we don't have those candy in the UK

Stephen Harris
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks just like the "British food" section in my local supermarket in France!!?!!

Latisha Rodriguez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where’s all the good food 😂 I like pancakes with peanut butter and syrup but dang not all the time and I have to be in a mood for candy

bern Habubbi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the fact that a fair few of these we have on our shelves anyway.

Lily Mae Kitty
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the British section of our US grocery stores looks exactly the same only half of it is Indian food(I assume lots of Indian food b/c at least that has flavor!) These are processed "treat" type foods and condiments, not what a person's entire diet consists of. There isn't going to meat, veggies and fruit or staples like rice and pasta in the section, now is there? When McDonalds came to your shores, did you all boycott? I don't think so. FFS.

Eric Trahan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A-1 steak sauce, really? kinda figured that wouldbe universal.

Giselle Catoni
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just want to know why every picture has peanut butter? Is that not common everywhere else or is it just the name brand?

Estefania Ibanez
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's because it was originally created and used in the U.S. as a product. And it is also not so common in other places, or probably too expensive.

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Tim Morgan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Tesco in that photo. Some other products that originated from America are actually in other parts of the store. For example Betty Crocker in the Baking aisle.

Tony Aston
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Twinkies are now made in Europe - but they don't taste anything like as good as the real American ones

lukastruss
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and my local shop (REAL) in berlin, didn't have twinkies. life is unfair :(

natie marie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

admittedly, its only because they wouldn't be able to shift healthy American food off the shelves. people want the fun stuff!

Achmad Sudibyo
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No comparison, in my country all grocery store much like that so to me that's normal

Philip Atkins
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spoiler alert! It's all high sugar and fat content items that travel well. More a case of brands than of actual opinions on what americans eat.

G. Hawk
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What are Marshmallow Mateys? And who eats cream of wheat? Hahaha this is so bizarre!

La
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the people talking about others being too 'lazy' to buy and prepare 'real' food I suggest you read Nickel and Dimed.

Cassie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it amusing that canned pumpkin is included here. Do Europeans not have canned pumpkin? The only time we buy canned pumpkin in my family is when the dog as a tummy ache.

Patrizia Franchini
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never saw canned pumpkin. Pumpkin is not so popular, but more popular thanks to Halloween, which is not a traditional celebration. (Switzerland)

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Owiella Freddie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good God! This American would not eat any of that c**p! Well, maybe the Reese's Puffs, but that's it! Oh, and maybe the Baby Ruth. And "Wonka" isn't even American!!!

Estefania Ibanez
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't see what's wrong with this and the other pictures. Most of these products (if not all) were created in the U.S. Yes, it's junk food. But it's not perception, it's the truth.

.gas.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost seems like this was around a holiday, with the random pumpkin and other stuff that could be used to make pie.

Krysta Storer
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad to see the world thinks we eat nothing but pop tarts and candy...

Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
7 years ago

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The only thing missing is the word "Junk" in between the two words American and Food. This IS a perfect example of what those who are too lazy to cook would eat.

Arty
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

trough the yes of the world "american junk food" is a pleonasm...

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Jonathan Eatsalot
Community Member
7 years ago

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Lol, the English eat WAY more candy and chocolate than Americans. What a fail

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    Fire Bird
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