Grocery Items Unavailable in the US

[TimandJoyce 1]

Guess what the Wegmans by me started carrying?? Mint green aero bars!!! I nearly cried when I saw them! I was sooo happy! I bought like 10.

Oh how sad. I asked Tim if he'd ever heard of that store...and he said no...

[Marilyn. 340]

I found coffee crisps at Big Lots yesterday..

I was going to buy a couple but the lines were really long and i didn't feel like standing in line just for a few chocolate bars...

[Sprailenes 47]

I found cheese curds at wegmans too. I am so going to make a poutine... as soon as I lose like 30 pounds.

[trailmix 77]

artificial sweeteners are better than HFCS. Splenda brand being the best for you, as it is made directly from cane sugar. Aspartame can cause headaches in some people, but in moderation, it is better for you than HFCS.

If you want to avoid all artificial sweeteners, go for the organics cereal section. Most of them use organic cane sugar.

Yeah I did see weetabix here somewhere, I think it was in the organics section at Albertson's - need to go back there and double check.

Reba I am surprised to hear you say that artificial sweetners are ok for you in moderation. Especially splenda which is made from cane sugar. The thing is - it isn't cane sugar - so it has been modified (I don't know much about AS as I don't use them or eat them)?

I mean HFCS is just corn.

Aspartame does give me a headache. Oh that was something the other night when we were at dinner. I had a coke and the waitress refilled everyones glass and then it tasted like diet coke, so I asked Carla if she was drinking diet - which she was, so the waitress had just refilled them all diet - bit odd!

[Krikit 1,165]

Anyway, I am now finishing off my HFCS enhanced cereals and we now have Quaker natural granola and Shredded wheat (spoon size) and I am looking for weetabix (which we are having trouble finding here - krikit where do you buy yours?

Those corn growers commercials drive me batty. They really do take advantage of the uneducated and insult my intelligence. If HFCS is so good then why are more and more manufacturers touting "Contains no HFCS's!!" as part of their marketing strategy. Sheesh.

I get my Weetabix in the organics sections of Albertsons and Publix. Fresh Market also has the fibre flakes Weetabix, which I really like with fresh blueberries. In fact, I just had a bowl!

Aspartame does give me a headache. Oh that was something the other night when we were at dinner. I had a coke and the waitress refilled everyones glass and then it tasted like diet coke, so I asked Carla if she was drinking diet - which she was, so the waitress had just refilled them all diet - bit odd!

Ew, yuck. I would have sent it back. I can't stand artifical sweetener.

[trailmix 77]

I'm just making a hot dog and I put some mustard on the bun and I was thinking, mustard tastes the same here (probably because it has no sugar in it) so anyway, i'm happy that mustard tastes the same.

Just want to give a shout out to...mustard.

[Krikit 1,165]

I'm just making a hot dog and I put some mustard on the bun and I was thinking, mustard tastes the same here (probably because it has no sugar in it) so anyway, i'm happy that mustard tastes the same.

Just want to give a shout out to...mustard.

[JillA 2]

I found cheese curds at wegmans too. I am so going to make a poutine... as soon as I lose like 30 pounds.

Ohhh I will have to check for those on my next Wegmans adventure.... could that store get any better!!

[SapphireDreams 71]

I actually prefer a lot of things in the US. I like the yogurt flavours better, love the gum selection and love how cheap the specific brand of protein bars I eat are.

Ketchup, soda/pop don't bother me in the US.... they do taste a bit different, but I rarely eat them, so it's not something I'll miss.

I think the one thing I'll miss is the Ontario grown produce in the summer. NYC doesn't have very good produce and it's much more expensive. Oh, and PC brand. I love President's Choice Blue Menu products... I'm sure I'll be fine without them... but they will be missed.

[JillA 2]

I actually prefer a lot of things in the US. I like the yogurt flavours better, love the gum selection and love how cheap the specific brand of protein bars I eat are.

Ketchup, soda/pop don't bother me in the US.... they do taste a bit different, but I rarely eat them, so it's not something I'll miss.

I think the one thing I'll miss is the Ontario grown produce in the summer. NYC doesn't have very good produce and it's much more expensive. Oh, and PC brand. I love President's Choice Blue Menu products... I'm sure I'll be fine without them... but they will be missed.

OH I miss blue menu products at Loblaws.... Those were really the best, I haven't found anything like that down here.

[Krikit 1,165]

I was shocked to find a PC product here! I can't remember what it was, though, so it obviously wasn't Memories of Thailand sauce.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I don't really find non-brand name foods very good. The grocery stores by where we live are not very good though, very small. I guess that's what we get for living in Queens, it's doesn't really have that suburban grocery store charm like Longos and Loblaws, LOL.

I do love Target brand items though. So far everything I've tried has been very comparable, so that makes me happy because it's a lot cheaper.

I <3 Target. Can't wait until we are reunited

[Reba 2]

Reba I am surprised to hear you say that artificial sweetners are ok for you in moderation. Especially splenda which is made from cane sugar. The thing is - it isn't cane sugar - so it has been modified (I don't know much about AS as I don't use them or eat them)?

I mean HFCS is just corn.

There are studies that have shown that HFCS is not good for anyone to consume, sure, it may not directly affect blood sugar levels (which the corn growers will claim makes it "healthier than sugar"), however it is processed by the liver, unlike other sugars, causing the liver to create fat. Similar studies on Splenda/sucralose have not shown any similar bad side effects. Splenda is an acceptable sugar substitute for anyone who wishes to stay away from actual sugar(s) either for purpose of losing weight, or because they have diabetes. Aspartame is still sort of up in the air, because of the headaches side-effects, it is not recommened if you suffer migraines, however any other side-effects or long term effects are undetermined. There have been no side effects or long term effects noted from sucralose (Splenda).

Sucralose btw, has been used in Canada for a lot longer than its been marketed in the US by Splenda. Yes, it technically is a chemical sweetener, but it does not affect blood sugar/glucose levels, and is therefore better for you (IMO) in moderation, than granulated cane sugar, HFCS, or aspartame even (because of the headaches thing).

[Krikit 1,165]

To distract myself from not freaking out I read your grocery list and we totally have several of those things listed as not in the US here in Texas.

Maybe let us know which items. Here's the link. Where it gets tricky is that some items are available in the US but they use different ingredients in the processing. Like Coke and ketchup and chocolate bars and things like that. But it would definitely be helpful if you know where some items are available.

Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: central market, whole foods, HEB (sometimes)

Kinder Surprise Eggs: around easter they're at central market and whole foods sometimes.

KitKat: everywhere? Asian markets usually have the "different" flavors, in Austin we have MK Supermarket that carries the green tea flavor.

Smarties: World Market, Central Market (sometimes), Whole Foods. World Market almost always has them.

Cookies, Oreos: All over, but again Asian Markets tend to have the different flavors.

Jello, Cranberry: this shows up in fall/winter in Safeway stores (Tom Thumb/Randalls/Safeway). I've seen it at MK Supermarket once as well.

Tim Horton's: There are several Timmies locations in the US, they just aren't as good lol

Coke: Mexican coke and Canadian coke should be the same thing (no HFCS, right?) Safeway stores, Fiesta Mart, Central Market, and Whole Foods all carry that.

C-Plus: A comparable would be Sunkist, C-Plus is just a decaf version IIRC. Sunkist is all over the place, it is fairly popular.

Cheese Whiz: This is at safeway stores for sure.

Rice, Uncle Ben's: Safeway stores & HEB have these.

Cheese Nips: Safeway stores, HEB...anywhere really, maybe this is an ingredient change one?

Colgate Total: CVS has this, if you need a fluoride toothpaste over 1.1% you have to get it from the DR though.

You forgot Bacon and Sour Cream flavored ruffles on your list, as well as Fruitopia, and Rolo/Caramilk/Coffee Crisp flavored milk ;-; The closest thing to fruitopia still in the US would probably be the Arizona brand fruit punch that comes in a can.

OH! and HEB definitely has Dill Pickle flavored chips, I am not sure what brand but one of my friends eats them like they're going out of style.

Posts brought over from another thread.

[Marilyn. 340]

yes they have cheese whiz down here but it doesn't taste the same....