It always interests me to hear how people read stories - what you describe as shortcuts are routes that I just can't find when I'm reading.

The military history stuff probably bothers me because it's my career field and an area of abiding interest, but I can handwave scientific details in stories just fine *g*

I think I'd rather have the acknowledgement, however scant, that things like the food aren't quite the same. You're right that butter and milk would probably be called just that, but when it's some strange vegetable? I'd think that they'd go with the native name instead of assigning "faux-broccoli" or the like. Tava beans!