Nothing conjures stronger feelings of homesickness than being abroad without your favorite comfort foods. Sure, eating macarons in Paris might be nice, but at the end of the day, there's nothing like the familiarity of the foods you grew up with. It may be a shock, but many of the sweet treats we take for granted here in the U.S. are hard to find in other countries. While we hear some of this stuff might be available in parts of Canada eh, you'll be hard pressed to find the good stuff in Europe or anywhere else. Simple things like cream cheese, peanut butter, and even pretzels can be hard to find. And even if you do manage to find some, your wallet will pay dearly for your American must-haves. But hey, we have the best snacks in the world! There simply isn't a better country to see a movie when you need to stock up on junk food for your purse. Pro tip: If you're planning a trip overseas or are looking to surprise someone with a much-needed care package, pack some snacks. Once you've shared a Twinkie, you've made a friend for life! Teddy Grahams View this post on Instagram NEW teddy grahams have arrived! 🐻 bear shaped sweet graham crackers! available in cinnamon, chocolate & chocolate chip! 🇺🇸 A post shared by RANDALLS (@randalls.k) on Dec 1, 2018 at 2:39am PST Say goodbye to these sweet little faces once you’ve crossed the American border. These little guys are strictly for the States. Whether you toted these in your brown-bagged lunch at school or made your tasty treats walk the plank into your cup of milk, who doesn't have fond memories of the box with the bear on it? Oh, and did you know that Teddy Grahams basically make the world's best s'mores? Check it out: Teddy Grahams s’mores recipe. Cheetos View this post on Instagram What I’m Thankful for A post shared by Chester Cheetah (@cheetos) on Nov 22, 2018 at 9:05am PST If you’re on the hunt for something dangerously cheesy while abroad, we’re sorry to say that you won’t find these snacks in-store to satisfy your craving. These crunchy, cheesy snacks are a staple here, but that’s where their popularity sadly ends. Other countries clearly don’t understand the appeal of imitation cheese. 100 Grand Bars View this post on Instagram Who wants a 100 Grand? 🙋🏻♀️ 💯 Head over to www.atasteofthestates.com to claim yours 😎 @nestle chewy caramel, milk chocolate & crispy crunchies 🍫 #100grand #yesplease #americanchocolate #chocolatebar A post shared by A Taste of the States UK 🍭 (@atasteofthestates) on May 2, 2018 at 4:12am PDT There's a reason this candy bar is associated with a giant mound of cash: After eating one of these, you'll feel like a million bucks (or at the very least $100 grand). This 60s throwback is still popular. Bite into one of these bad boys for a chewy caramel center surrounded in crunchy, crispy rice pieces in milk chocolate. Cheez-Its View this post on Instagram What do we do with the ones we burned a little? #cheezits #why #forbiddensnacks #shittyfoodporn A post shared by Jake Spear (@houseofhomie) on Dec 5, 2018 at 11:05am PST No one can resist the real baked cheesy goodness of a Cheez-It cracker. Seriously, how are these not available anywhere besides here? It's honestly a travesty to think there are stores without boxes of Cheez-Its. Pop-Tarts View this post on Instagram Hi guys we have more frosting now A post shared by Pop-Tarts (@poptartsus) on Jan 8, 2018 at 1:21pm PST Seriously? Crazy good does not even begin to describe this breakfast favorite. Is there anything more American than eating 32 grams of sugar first thing in the morning? Looking to take your Pop-Tarts game to the next level? Try creating an ice cream sandwich out of your fav Pop-Tarts. You're welcome. View this post on Instagram Sundae fundae. #NationalIceCreamDay A post shared by Pop-Tarts (@poptartsus) on Jul 16, 2017 at 8:56am PDT Airheads View this post on Instagram don’t be an airhead come hang out with us on #sundayfunday and pick up some #airheads while you’re here (pssst you aren’t what you eat) A post shared by Sweet Box Candy est 2012 (@sweetboxcandy) on Dec 2, 2018 at 9:47am PST They're out of control! These zany snacks are every 90s kid's favorite. It's like if saltwater taffy had a gazillion times more sugar. That's an Airhead in a nutshell. View this post on Instagram Alvin Kamara got his own flavor of #airheads 👀😍 @alvinkamara A post shared by NFC South champs 2017-20🏆🔥 (@saints.island) on Nov 15, 2018 at 12:00pm PST Even Saints running back, Alvin Kamara, has his own Airhead flavor. What's better than having your own purse line or fragrance? You're own flavor of candy. That's when you know you're really famous. Combos View this post on Instagram 🧀Combos Cheddar Cheese🧀 Crunchy oven baked pretzels stuffed with real cheddar cheese flavour filling! 😁👍 Finally in stock again on 🇺🇸 Americanstore.se 🇺🇸 #combos #kakor #snack #snacks #cheddar #cheeselover #cheese #americanfood #pretzel #americanstore #americanstoreskhlm #americansinsweden #instorenow #mellanmål #mellanmålstips #ost #pretzels #amerikanskmat A post shared by American Store (@americanstore.se) on Dec 7, 2018 at 4:08pm PST Not really a surprise that these would be excluded from stores in other countries since a lot of countries don't even have regular pretzels. Still, you can't take the sting out of a Combos-less reality. Whether you're talking the pizza kind or seven-layer dip, Combos are the best bar snacks around hands down. Birthday Cake Oreos (And Other Flavors) View this post on Instagram 🐭🎂 Now in stores are the Limited Edition Birthday Cake flavored Mickey Mouse Oreos to celebrate his 90th Anniversary. I first spotted these on September 18th at Target and since then, they’ve appeared in local markets. So you all should hopefully be able to find them easily if you’re on the lookout. Very tasty and accurate flavor, these are best enjoyed when dunked in milk. Once soft, it really does taste like a piece of cake. • 🍎🥧 Also available are the re-released Apple Pie Oreos. Wish it was Blueberry Pie! • 👍🏾 Finally, on #LeftHandersDay (August 12th), Oreo had a limited run of these specially packaged “Left Handed Oreo” cookies on their website. We’ve had them lying around for a while and thought it’d be best to wait to show them off with some other new releases. If anyone’s got a sealed pack of the Olympic Oreos, we’ll trade a pack of these Left Handed Oreos for them. (We have 3 Left Handed Oreo packs in our possession). #mnmtwinzOreo ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ #Oreo #Oreos #Chocolate #Creme #Cream #ApplePie #ApplePieOreos #BirthdayCake #BirthdayCakeOreos #Cookie #Cookies #MickeyMouse #Mickey #Disney #JunkFood #eatingfortheinsta #instagood #foodstagram #snack #sweet #sugar #hungry #snack #foodie #foodporn #lickyourphone A post shared by Marcus and Matthew (@mnmtwinz) on Sep 26, 2018 at 3:25pm PDT Lovingly nicknamed "America's favorite cookie," Oreos are the stuff of childhood memories. While other countries may have the original kind, you'll be hard pressed to get your hands on any of the unique flavors for which the cookies have become renowned. Butterfinger View this post on Instagram #butterfinger 🥰 who loves #peanutbutter ?! 🙋🏻♀️ A post shared by Bad Mother Sugar NQ (@badmothersugarnq) on Dec 10, 2018 at 3:11pm PST Butterfingers are dangerously delicious. Even their slogan is basically a threat to anyone who dares even look in your direction while you're eating one. Nobody better lay a finger on my Butterfinger! Did I buy two? Yes. Am I going to share? No. One bite is all it takes to conjure your aggressive side. Do what you must to protect your precious peanut-buttery goodness. No one in the U.S. will judge you. Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Popcorn View this post on Instagram Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Popcorn - So good! #srirachapopcorn #popgourmetpopcorn #huyfongfoods #huyfongsriracha A post shared by Stanley Ng (@stanleyng) on Jan 26, 2018 at 6:54pm PST Hot sauce and the U.S. go hand in hand. Specifically, Sriracha and the U.S. This simple yet ingenious pairing of popcorn and hot sauce has us smitten. Even hard to find in some places here, good luck trying to get your hands on a bag of these bad boys while you're abroad. Lay’s Biscuits and Gravy Potato Chips View this post on Instagram When you wish something was #vegan just so you could try it lol #lays #biscuitsandgravylays #biscuitsandgravy #southernfood #usa #notvegan #darnit A post shared by 🎶🌸🐚 (@theplantaholics) on Mar 5, 2017 at 7:24pm PST If you didn't jump for joy the minute these hit the shelves, you're clearly not American enough. It's not just the fact that Lay's created this flavor as the winner of a fan competition, these chips literally taste like what they claim to be. Whether you're from the South or not, you gotta try some of these. Chex Mix View this post on Instagram A fan of traditional Chex Mix? Costco has the 40 oz bag on sale for $3.89 through 12/30/18. After that, price goes up to $5.89. Item 757263 was spotted at the Covington, Washington Costco. It may not be available everywhere. #costco #costcofinds #costcodeals #costcosale #sale #deal #deals #chexmix #snacks A post shared by Rhonda (@frugalhotspot) on Dec 6, 2018 at 1:21pm PST It's hard to believe there are bars in operation around the world that don't have a bowl of Chex Mix ready to serve. I mean, what else are you supposed to munch on while cracking open a cold one with the boys? The best thing about Chex Mix is there's a flavor for everyone. Whether you've got a sweet tooth that controls your every meal or prefer a savory, salty crunch, there's a mix out there to satisfy your craving. Hostess Cupcakes View this post on Instagram That’s only 365 CupCakes a year. ... #CupCake #CupCakes #Snack #Quote #Quotes #Motivation #Motivational #Popular #Tasty #MondayMotivation A post shared by Hostess Snacks (@hostess_snacks) on Nov 19, 2018 at 7:22am PST If you've never been in a cafeteria fight over the right way to eat a Hostess cupcake, I don't think you can even claim to be American. Seriously, even homemade cupcakes pale in comparison to these perfectly processed beauties. Oh, and the right way is clearly to take off the icing and eat it last. Duh. Reese’s Cups View this post on Instagram Orange is the new black.💕 #reeses #reesescups #americanfood #americandyat @scs_at A post shared by Americandy (@americandy.at) on Mar 3, 2018 at 5:07am PST If you're not a fan of Reese's, you may need to see a doctor about that because your taste buds clearly aren't working. It will come as a devastating blow to any American when they find out that the self-proclaimed perfect candy is unavailable just about anywhere else in the world. If you've got a friend abroad, show them how much you love them by sending them some Reese's cups. Peanut Butter M&Ms View this post on Instagram Sometimes the people at work make it really hard to stay on track! Do we really need the big bag?!?! #peanutbuttermms #weightlossmotivation #staystrong #backawayfromthecandy #mms A post shared by Courtney🌴🌸☀️⚓️🏖 (@i_cant_fat_anymore) on Aug 15, 2016 at 5:52am PDT Yet again, the rest of the world fails to realize the magic of chocolate combined with peanut butter. It's so strange to think about peanut butter as a rare commodity in other countries. I guess that just means more for us. M&Ms' impression of a Reese's Pieces might even be better. Nutter Butters View this post on Instagram Best biccies in the world: yay or nay? - - - - Definitely a yay from me. True story: Bert gave me 50 bags of Nutter Butter Bites for Xmas in 2016.. one of the best presents I’ve ever had! These are a regular in my @atasteofthestates order at only 99p... or 80p if you enter AMYSEEKS20 at checkout 🤑. - - - #theresnosuchthingastoomuchpeanutbutter #peanutbutterislife #cookiesarethebest #youneedtheseinyourlife #nutterbutter A post shared by Amy (@amyseeksnewtreats) on May 3, 2018 at 12:42pm PDT Let me say it louder for the people in the back: PEANUT BUTTER IS BASICALLY AN AMERICAN THING! You really don't get an appreciation for how integral peanut butter is to the American diet until you start removing everyone's favorite snacks as a possibility while abroad. This crunchy peanut butter sandwhich cookie with (you guessed it) peanut butter filling is such a comforting treat. What kid didn't have a box of these waiting for them at home? Jell-O View this post on Instagram JELL-O CREATIONS™ put all the fun of Oreo Cookie Dirt Cups in one lil’ box. Try all 4 varieties! #yum #jellocreations #fun A post shared by JELL-O (@jello) on Apr 8, 2016 at 9:04am PDT You might find gelatin but it'll never be the same as Jell-O. Besides, Jell-O's product line doesn't stop at the fruity flavored gelatin everyone knows and loves. They also make a great instant pudding with a laundry list of seasonal flavors. Jell-O has become an American staple — one you can count on making an annual appearance at everyone's Fourth of July barbecue sporting red, white, and blue pride. Lucky Charms View this post on Instagram Pure magic. 🐶🦄🦄🐶 📷: @rufiothelostboy A post shared by Lucky Charms (@luckycharms) on Sep 14, 2018 at 9:34am PDT This magically delicious breakfast favorite can't be bought while you're overseas. I'm guessing the rest of the world has caught on to the fact that there's no nutritional value in marshmallows for breakfast. Let's hope America never follows because this cereal is truly magical. If you don't save all the marshmallows til the end, what are you even doing? Twinkies View this post on Instagram Keep Calm and Shine On 💫 ... #KeepCalm #Shine #Star #Stars #Twinkies #MondayMotivation #Quote #Quotes #Motivation A post shared by Hostess Snacks (@hostess_snacks) on Oct 22, 2018 at 10:02am PDT The only thing more American than a Twinkie is having one deep-fried at the boardwalk. While these snacks have been rumored to last forever and even survive a nuclear war, that doesn't stop us from bowing down to their epic greatness and shamelessly chowing down on the artificial cream-filled cake snack.
