The US food available here is the worst kind

 

The problem with American food that you can get here is that it is the very worst of American food.  Hamburger Helper, Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, Lucky Charms?  Purleeze!  I agree, I would never buy that crap in the US, and fortunately, it is just not on my radar screen here.  The foods that are uniquely American and good, I'm happy to reserve for when I visit the US.  Same deal when we are living in the US with British foods: cream cakes are something that belong in the UK and do not need to be replicated in the US.

I don't think anyone is arguing that those are 'good' food but they do remind you of home. Personally, I grew up on Mac n' Cheese so when I'm able to get some here I do because it brings back good memories. But I wouldn't say it's good for you.   

I'm of the opinion that if a box of Mac-n-cheese or a 90p Hershey's bar cheers you up, then go for it.   

I realize that lots of expats have no "grown up" life in the US - they come to the UK straight out of college, but for those of us who had fairly ordinary lives in the US during our 20s and 30s (and beyond), is there a craving for boxed foods?

I guess I really couldn't answer that since I'm one of those poor souls who have not had a 'grown up' life in the US.

Hersheys - gaaaag!

Watch it, I'm from Pennsylvania.  

I guess I really couldn't answer that since I'm one of those poor souls who have not had a 'grown up' life in the US.

Me neither, Ashley.     Should we form a club?

Me neither, Ashley.     Should we form a club?

Sure. First thing we'll need is a  name. Any ideas?

I have, once or twice, bought things for "old time's sake" and it has been a major disappointment (especially at the breathtaking cost and effort).  The urge to buy "college dorm" food is something that I've managed to shake off.  I realize that lots of expats have no "grown up" life in the US - they come to the UK straight out of college, but for those of us who had fairly ordinary lives in the US during our 20s and 30s (and beyond), is there a craving for boxed foods?  In my experience, no.

I considered myself, at a few days short of 31, with a husband, a child starting preschool in a week, and another baby on the way to have a pretty "grown up" life-I have a mortgage, and bills that my husband's salary pays.  I make three meals a day for my child.  I have a big Mommy van with a carseat in it. 
I also make Hamburger Helper for dinner sometimes. 

Here all this time I was wrong.  I'm not a grown-up...I'm a child!  Can I join the "still a child" club, ladies?

Maybe there's a 12-step program for those of us who have not grown up enough to wean ourselves from the Devil's Meals-those of us who still turn, in weakness and desperation, from a lack of responsibility, planning and maturity-to convenience foods.  I only hope my child(ren) will fogrive me for those days when money is tight (since we have all those bills to pay, you know) and I'm a bit tired and want to make something easy.  What was I thinking?  Where did my parents go wrong?

Can someone help me to walk the correct path? 

SAF, can I join your club too -- considering that I am 36 and like the occasional 'dorm' food too?  And just to prove my worthiness: my lovely Brit hubby just brought back two packages of Kraft Mac and Cheese (blue boxl) from his trip to Amsterdam.

Dorm food, indeed.   

I guess we're just not all as well-adjusted and mature as you are, Jemima. 

You and Bill Bryson (until his little New Hampshire experiment) 

I'd be willing to bet that even Bill Bryson indulges in the occasional Reeses Cup. 

I have, once or twice, bought things for "old time's sake" and it has been a major disappointment (especially at the breathtaking cost and effort).  The urge to buy "college dorm" food is something that I've managed to shake off.  I realize that lots of expats have no "grown up" life in the US - they come to the UK straight out of college, but for those of us who had fairly ordinary lives in the US during our 20s and 30s (and beyond), is there a craving for boxed foods?  In my experience, no.

Where did you get the impression that the foods Americans like are 'college dorm' foods or a result of 'no grown up life'? What an odd thing to say.

Like someone else said, Kraft Mac n Cheese was something a lot of Americans of a certain age (70s+ childhood) grew up on. It was cheap and fast. For many it has nothing to do with 'college dorms' or not having a grown up life, although it is a staple of young adults starting out on their own as well, given how cheap it is (but Top Raman is cheaper and more practical although you don't get expats pining for it).

I'm still kind of gobsmacked at your breathtakingly self congratulatory post though. It shows quite a disregard for other's experiences and an almost ignorant judgemental attitude. Why, what for, I mean? Such a loathing for boxed foods and the people you think use them!

Anyway to buck your stereotype, I'm an expat who came here after my 20s, who did not get a taste for Mac'n Cheese at a college dorm and who enjoys the 'boxed foods' my family sends from home.

I think I need to step away from the computer because just thinking how to answer this is winding me up far too much!!!

 

Anyway to buck your stereotype, I'm an expat who came here after my 20s, who did not get a taste for Mac'n Cheese at a college dorm and who enjoys the 'boxed foods' my family sends from home.

To further buck the stereotype.  I moved here in my twenties, fairly soon after University and consider myself to have spent most of my adult life here.  I've never been big on boxed food-although I've nothing against people who like it. It's not something that I miss terribly.   But I've got to say that my English husband and English children have been known to eat more than a few boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in their time. 
 

interesting goings on here..... i must add that i too harbor longings for boxed american food. specifically, jiffy corn muffin mix. and it only costs $.25 per box.  i didn't grow up in the states ( missionary kid from haiti) so i didn't have the childhood experience of US eating, but i do value good products. including the occasional kraft mac n cheese.  i enjoy elegant food, and often cook it, but nothing beats jiffy broccoli corn bread and pinto beans. hows that for trashy american??

you can now buy the real ziploc bags at costco, in bulk of course. and there are no equivalents to those in the UK. i have tried all of the alternatives on offer and they don't do the job.  also, sainsbury and tescos both now sell extra strong aluminum foil in the larger stores.