Gen Z vs. Gen X War Over Lunches

[Ralph Wiggum]

This has been percolating at Twitchy for a couple of days, and as a member of Generation X, I certainly am on the "boomer" side of this argument. Here are the relevant highlights:

GEN WARS: Gen Z Complaining to Boomers That They’re Expected to Live on ‘War Rations’ for Lunch

This editor logged onto X today to search for the usual political bickering. But today, he was overwhelmed by a war being fought between Boomers/Gen X and Gen Z, over the affordability of lunch. Seriously, at least three threads are going viral about whether Gen Z should learn to pack lunches and live on "war rations," or if older generations don't understand the affordability crisis.

Let's trace it back to this 15-second clip from Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O'Leary.

Mikli

@CryptoMikli
Kevin O’Leary says Gen Z is financially cooked when people making $70K a year are spending $28 on lunch

~ Mr. Wonderful video at the link ~

That got things cooking.

Sean Padraig McCarthy
@SeanMcCarthyCom
Lunch just costs $28 now. Are they not supposed to eat?

Joel Berry
@JoelWBerry
A little-known hack:

2 slices of Aldi wheat bread: $0.17
3 oz of Aldi deli turkey: $0.86
1 slices Aldi cheddar: $0.15
1 condiment of your choice: $0.02
1 apple: $0.53
1 hard boiled egg: $0.14
5 carrot sticks: $0.17
Cold water from the tap: $0.01

Total: $2.05

You can do this.

 

Brad
@bradtherambler

I’m generally a live within your means guy, but acting like we shouldn’t be able to complain about affordability and have to eat like we’re on war rations is ridiculous. Even when I’m shopping on a budget for groceries I end up having to spend over 100 bucks regularly.

Having to eat "like we're on war rations." This Gen X editor remembers his first job out of college, making $6 and hour and eating a packet of saltines and drinking a 50-cent root beer out of the vending machine for lunch. This would have been 1989, so perhaps this editor is out of touch.

https://twitchy.com/brettt/2026/05/20/gen-z-complaining-that-theyre-expected-to-live-on-war-rations-for-lunch-n2428398

And it continued:

Taylor Lorenz Declares DoorDash a Necessity Because Zoomers Lack 'Capacity' to Cook

Massive eyeroll incoming!

Taylor Lorenz
@TaylorLorenz
This is bc they do not have the time or capacity to create home cooked meals. It’s an issue countless ppl have tried to raise w leftists but big leftists online continue to shame/abuse poor ppl for being forced to rely on these services for meals, which act as a tax on the poor

The Fat Electrician

@Fat_Electrician
We are unironically moments away from people legitimately declaring DoorDash is a human right.

Basically, not only are young people eating out, but they are using Door Dash. They are getting private cars for their burritos. What a world.

Taylor Lorenz insists young people have to do this because they don't have time or the 'capacity'. Um, ok? How did young people in the past have the time or capacity?

Destiny | Steven Bonnell II
@TheOmniLiberal
Poor people in America used to starve to death before they had the ability to order a McDonalds meal for $50.

This is why the Great Depression happened, after all. No McDonalds.

Lou Perez
@LouPerez
Imagine this: You graduated college but don't have the time-management skills (e.g. "programming" a rice cooker, crockpot, etc.) nor the mental capacity to create home-cooked meals.

Throw something in the crock pot for goodness' sake.

https://twitchy.com/justmindy/2026/05/20/taylor-lorenz-poor-people-dont-have-time-to-cook-n2428415

And it continues to ridiculous lengths:

Gen Z vs. Gen X War Over Lunches Continues: PB&J Is 'What They Give Prisoners in Holding Cells'

A Twitchy reported on Wednesday, there was a multi-front war going on on X over the affordability of lunch for Gen Z. We believe it kicked off when Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O’Leary, said that Gen Z is financially cooked when people making $70,000 a year are spending $28 on lunch. Boomers and Gen Xers chipped in with some tips on living frugally, cooking your own meals, and making your own lunches. This post really set off Gen Z, who claimed older generations were asking them to live on "war rations."

Ben Klayer
@the_satellite23
Loaf of bread = $5
Peanut butter = $4
Jelly = $4
18 pack of chips = $12
Bag of apples = $5

Total = $30

And you'll have lunch for an entire week or two. $2-4 average per day.

Inflation isn't the problem. Your spending habits are.

Quite a few people asked if they were expected to eat like five-year-olds for the rest of their lives. Grinch here says peanut butter and jelly is what they give prisoners in holding cells.

Grinch
@Uncatfishable
Do people realize that peanut butter and jelly and chips is what they give kids at school who can’t afford school lunch? That’s what they give prisoners in holding cells if you get to jail after food time. And you want working adults to eat that everyday willingly.

Working "adults."

https://twitchy.com/brettt/2026/05/21/gen-z-vs-gen-x-war-about-lunches-continues-thats-what-they-give-prisoners-in-holding-cells-n2428455

This is a fun topic, because I rarely go out to lunch for work: I either bring leftovers or make a couple sandwiches & put some chips or veggies in a baggie. And I've NEVER spent $28 for lunch.

[DefiantSix]

I spend about $20 a week, and keep cold cuts (usually roast beef or pastrami, ham and turkey breast) a loaf of bread, and a jar of pickles in the break room refrigerator.

I can remember a time in my life when Cup o' Noodles ramen in unremarkable chicken broth was all I could afford, lo, these many moons ago. One learns to improvise, adapt and overcome, children... [/Gen X]