• Around the world, there’s often a perception that the typical American diet consists mostly of junk foods and sugary treats.
  • According to photos of “American” food aisles, some grocery stores seem to have taken the stereotype to heart.
  • Sweet treats like Twinkies, Pop Tarts, and maple syrup seem to be on offer at most grocery stores that have a selection of American food.
  • It’s worth noting that many stores likely stock such items to cater to homesick US expats.
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Around the world, there’s often a perception that the typical American diet consists mostly of junk foods and sugary treats – a notion that’s fueled in part by representation of the US in popular culture.

But, according to photos of “American” food aisles at certain grocery stores, it seems that people in some countries have taken the stereotype to heart, with grocery stores stocking everything from maple syrup to Pop Tarts.

Of course, it’s worth noting that many stores likely stock such items to cater to homesick US expats so these sections devoted to “American” foods could be more of a reflection of items expats aren’t able to find easily abroad than the average American’s diet.

Still, the foods stocked in these aisles could help perpetuate certain myths about what people in the US like to eat. Take a look at some examples of “American” aisles from around the world below.

A Colombian grocery store had an interesting mix of condiments and boxed foods in its USA aisle

https://twitter.com/liz315/status/550062374955536385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Salad dressings, ketchup, mustard, relish, and steak sauce could be found alongside canned soups, instant potatoes, and baked goods.

People in France might think Americans are all about sweet treats, at least according to these supermarkets

According to this French supermarket, maple syrup, boxed cake mix, peanut butter, and mustard could be considered American staples.

https://twitter.com/PlanetofFinks/status/307269207727411202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In Ireland, the USA section of this grocery store might bother dentists across America

https://twitter.com/WaterPM/status/551411123208347648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

One such aisle in Dublin appears to stock candy and sugary snacks like Twinkies and Pop Tarts.

A store in Myanmar might give the impression that Jell-O and Milano cookies are a big part of the American diet

You can also find Goldfish.

An American aisle in a supermarket in Spain entirely consists of Fluff, frosting, and ranch dressing

There's also chocolate sauce, hot sauce, and sprinkles to round out the display.

This American aisle at a grocery store in Sweden is all about sugar

https://twitter.com/lolkristin/status/1136486795040813056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

You can find everything from Twizzlers to Toaster Tarts.

And across the pond, British grocery stores seem to stock their US aisles with junk food

Americans favorites like Twinkies, A.1. Sauce, peanut butter, and Fluff are all for sale.