12 American Foods That People From Other Countries Can’t Handle

Every country has its unique culinary traditions, and America's classics are no exception. However, some of these beloved dishes might be a bit too much for people from other countries. From sweet to savory, these American foods can be quite the shock to foreign taste buds.

Table of Contents

1. Breakfast Cereal
2. American Cheese
3. American Bread
4. Aerosol Cheese
5. Chocolate
6. Biscuits and Gravy
7. Jell-O Salad
8. Chips as a Side
9. Ranch Dressing
10. Pumpkin Everything
11. Taco Bell
12. Grits
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1. Breakfast Cereal

Different types of cereal — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Although many say granola and breakfast cereal are tasty snacks (or desserts), they believe these food items shouldn't be served for breakfast. Someone said, "No wonder how many kids struggle with obesity." Another pointed out, "Starting the day with a bowl of sugar can't be too good."

2. American Cheese

Los Angeles, California, United States - 08-09-2019: A view of several packages of Kraft Singles at the grocery store. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Whether you're a name-brand person and only get Kraft singles, or you buy the off-brand package of little yellow squares wrapped in plastic, you probably know you're not eating pure cheese. One commenter said it's so processed it has almost nothing to do with cheese.

3. American Bread

Bread in America is sweeter and contains significantly more sugar than elsewhere, which is something I have always suspected. Not only were many foreigners horrified by the bread we eat here, but even Americans in the comments said they now want to know what bread from other countries tastes like. I concur with that statement!

4. Aerosol Cheese

Also known as Cheez Whiz or Easy Cheese, cheese in a can isn't a natural part of anyone's diet. However, it may be a snack that you and your family enjoy. That said, when foreigners were asked about this snack, their responses included expletives and disgust. One user shared, "It doesn't need to be refrigerated. That's not okay."

5. Chocolate

Hershey’s Chocolate — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

One individual said Hershey's bars have a "dusty texture, like five weeks after Easter when you come across an uneaten egg." If you eat a lot of Hershey's bars or similarly processed brands but have tried other types of pure chocolate (with a higher percentage of cocoa), you might know and even love that dusty flavor.

6. Biscuits and Gravy

I was surprised to see this one so high on the list of all the dishes to insult. When made properly, biscuits and gravy are warm, delicious, and flavorful. One foreigner mentioned that it looks like vomit, even though they have since grown to enjoy it. Another said it was a fantastic dish, so maybe it's just a bit of culture shock.

7. Jell-O Salad

Strawberry Jello Salad With Cool Whip. triple crispy strawberry cheesecake dessert — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Typically, Jell-O salad contains flavored Jell-O (or gelatin), fruit, grated vegetables, and various ingredients like cream or cottage cheese, nuts, and even marshmallows. I'm not sure how many people eat Jell-O salad (or a version of this dish) in their day-to-day diets, but this one puzzled a lot of newcomers from other countries.

8. Chips as a Side

Apparently, in other countries, it's not standard to get potato chips as a side. One person felt strongly about this, stating that potato chips are gas station junk food. To them, ordering chips on the side with a sandwich is akin to your side being a Snickers bar. Don't give suggestions like this to Americans, or we might actually start offering a chocolate bar as a side.

9. Ranch Dressing

Ranch also made the top of the list foreigners find disgusting about the average American diet. Someone asked regarding ranch dressing, "Why don't you people want to taste the salad you're eating?" Considering I moved from the West Coast to the Midwest, I'm surprised at how much people like their ranch dressing.

10. Pumpkin Everything

Pumpkin spice latte — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

It's fall in the U.S. currently, which means pumpkin everything. There was an unsurprising number of people from other countries criticizing this trend, and Americans in the comments quickly defended their love for pumpkin flavoring. Sometimes, I'm afraid to say it out loud, but I, too, am a bit worried about everyone's obsession with pumpkin-flavored food and drink. However, I try not to yuck anyone's yum and let people enjoy things.

11. Taco Bell

Taco Bell fans, look away. I think most of us know that Taco Bell isn't authentic Mexican food, but many of us still indulge from time to time, especially as a convenience. This was one of the most highly criticized and defended types of food on the list. One person pointed out that "actually good Mexican food" is not expensive, so they can't understand why people eat at Taco Bell.

12. Grits

The story that one Australian told about their distaste for grits is worth repeating: "I was in a diner in the south, maybe Mississippi. I asked the waitress what it was, and the look she gave me was uncertain and troubled. All I know is, the man next to me had a penchant for it, and the sound he was making was uncannily similar to that of a child slapping a bowl of porridge."

Source: Reddit.