14 Groceries Your Mom Always Bought—Whether You Liked It or Not
No matter how much you begged for snacks, your mom had her grocery list, and it never changed.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Mom’s grocery outings were about keeping to the tried-and-true methods, not having fun. These products always find their way into the cart. They were part of growing up, whether you liked them or not.
1. Canned Green Beans – The Dinnertime Dread
Atwngirl on Wikimedia Commons
They had a mushy texture and a dull, salty taste, but Mom swore they were “good for you.” You could spot them on your plate from across the room.
2. Store-Brand Raisin Bran – A Bowl Full of Blahs
Mike Mozart on Flickr
It wasn’t even the good kind — just dry flakes with a few sad raisins. Every bite felt like chewing paper. But it was “high in fiber,” and that’s all that mattered to her.
3. Frozen Mixed Vegetables – The Sad Side Dish
Steven Depolo on Flickr
Corn, peas, carrots, and lima beans were frozen into a colorful punishment. Microwaved into a watery mess, it never quite fit any meal. Yet somehow, it showed up at least twice a week.
4. Powdered Milk – Just… Why?
ProjectManhattan on Wikimedia Commons
She kept a box in the pantry like it was treasure, but nobody wanted it. It never dissolved right and tasted like chalk. Still, she insisted it was “just as good as fresh.”
5. Bologna – The “Meat” You Tolerated
Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons
This was a lunchbox regular that smelled weird and felt rubbery. It was always paired with white bread and a mystery spread. It filled your stomach, but not your heart.
6. Instant Mashed Potatoes – Quick and Questionable
Andrew Filer on Flickr
Just add water and get a lump of something resembling potatoes. They tasted bland, and the texture was closer to paste. For Mom, convenience beat authenticity every time.
7. Tofu – The Great Protein Experiment
Kamala Bright on Unsplash
It sat in the fridge like an unspoken challenge. You never asked for it, but there it was — cubed, crumbled, or floating in soup. She claimed it could “taste like anything,” but somehow it tasted like nothing.
8. Apple Juice – The Eternal Jug
Elena Jiang on Unsplash
There was always a giant bottle in the fridge, no matter what season. It wasn’t terrible, but after the tenth glass, you just wanted water.
9. Margarine – Butter’s Budget Cousin
Andrew Filer on Flickr
It spread like glue and never quite melted right. However, Mom swore it was healthier, cheaper, and “tastes the same.” Spoiler: it didn’t.
10. Plain Yogurt – Sour and Simple
Alabama Extension on Wikimedia Commons
She bought it in giant tubs and expected you to dress it up yourself. It was tangy, bland, and always missing the fruit you actually liked.
11. Cereal Without Sugar – The Crunch You Didn’t Crave
Nyana Stoica on Unsplash
She passed right by the colorful boxes and grabbed the most boring option on the shelf. There were no marshmallows, no frosting, just fiber and sadness.
12. Canned Tuna – The Midweek Mystery Meal
jules on Flickr
You never knew if it would become a sandwich, a casserole, or a questionable salad. The smell lingered, and so did your disappointment.
13. Baby Carrots – Snack of Champions (According to Her)
Daderot on Wikimedia Commons
They showed up in every lunchbox with no dip in sight. Crunchy, cold, and oddly sweet, they were more chore than treat.
14. Rice Cakes – The Cardboard of Snacks
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Dry, flavorless, and impossible to enjoy without peanut butter. She bought them in bulk, swearing they were “great with hummus.” You ate one and regretted it every time.