This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.
Every generation has its food quirks, but some dishes are like dividing lines. What one group calls genius, the other swears is just plain wrong.
From retro staples to viral snacks, these foods stir up opinions, side eyes, and more than a few dinner table debates.
Avocado Toast
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Gen Z sees it as breakfast perfection, creamy, crunchy, and ready for Instagram. Boomers, though, can’t believe people pay that much for toast. To them, it’s just a sandwich missing its top half and common sense.
Plant Based Meat
Gen Z loves plant based everything, burgers, nuggets, sausage made from peas or soy. Boomers are skeptical. “Why fake meat when you can eat beans or salad?” they ask. To each their own, but it’s definitely a generational divide.
Protein Bars
Gen Z snacks on protein bars between meetings or gym sessions. It’s fuel on the go. Boomers still prefer real food, cheese, eggs, or fruit. Bars just feel too chalky, too fake, or too much like astronaut food.
Pineapple on Pizza
This debate never ends. Gen Z says yes to sweet and spicy, especially with hot honey or jalapeños. Boomers? They’re split. Some love it, others call it disrespectful to pizza. Either way, it always starts a food fight.
Liver and Onions
Boomers ate it because their parents said so. Gen Z? They’d rather not. The texture, the smell, it’s just not happening. Even with onions, liver isn’t winning many hearts with younger eaters.
Jell-O Salad
Boomers see it as fun, festive, and full of family memories, especially with fruit or marshmallows inside. Gen Z can’t get past the texture or mystery ingredients. Wiggly food with mayo and fruit? That’s a hard no for the social media generation.
Related Post: 14 Ways U.S. And Canadian Bodegas Are Completely Different According To Shoppers
Anything with Added Sugar
Boomers grew up on sugary cereals, sodas, and sweet desserts without much guilt. Gen Z is more label conscious and suspicious of hidden sugars. If it’s not low sugar or natural, they’re likely skipping it, especially if there’s a chia pudding nearby instead.
Related Post: 14 Aesthetic Bistros That Look Straight Out Of Hollywood
Green Bean Casserole
It’s a beloved holiday dish for Boomers, complete with crispy onions and cream of mushroom soup. Gen Z finds it a bit too soggy, salty, and old school. They’d rather roast their veggies or go for something bright, fresh, and plant forward.
Related Post: These American Bistros Are Now Serving Dessert With Wine Pairings
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Boomers see comfort in this creamy, cheesy classic. Gen Z sees it as a strange mix of canned tuna and processed soup. The idea of warm fish and noodles in one dish just doesn’t sit well with them, especially in an age of sushi.
Related Post: The 12 States Where Wine Costs More Than Coffee and No One Is Complaining
Circus Peanuts Candy
Boomers love the nostalgia of these soft, orange, banana flavored candies. Gen Z is baffled by the texture and taste. They often describe them as waxy, weird, or “what even is this?” For them, candy should be sour, chewy, or chocolatey.
Related Post: 13 High Protein Orders That Are Shockingly Affordable
Breaking Spaghetti Noodles
Boomers say you never break long pasta, it’s tradition. Gen Z breaks it in half to fit the pot, to save time, or film a TikTok hack. For some Boomers, it’s an unforgivable crime. For Gen Z, it’s just practical cooking.
Related Post: 13 High Protein Restaurant Meals That Still Taste Like Comfort Food
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
How Crispy should Bacon Be?
Boomers often enjoy their bacon a little soft with chewy fat on the edges. Gen Z, on the other hand, wants it super crispy, or skips it for plant based versions. On one side, it’s comfort food. For the other, it’s all about crunch.
Related Post: 15 Burger Toppings That Vanished Overnight Because Of The FDA
Ambrosia Salad
Boomers remember it as a sweet, creamy side dish full of fruit and tiny marshmallows. Gen Z sees it as one giant sugar bomb. Coconut, whipped cream, and canned fruit? It gives them retro dessert fear instead of sweet nostalgia.
Related Post: 12 Low Calorie High Protein Orders You Can Get Without Annoying The Chef
Creamed Chipped Beef
To Boomers, it’s a wartime breakfast turned comfort food. To Gen Z, it looks like wallpaper paste on toast. The name alone is off putting. While older generations love the creamy, salty flavor, younger eaters are calling for avocado toast instead.
Related Post: 12 Fast Food Ice Cream Deals That Disappear Fast On Ice Cream Day
Tapioca Pudding
Boomers see it as soft, sweet comfort in a cup. Gen Z? Not so much. The tiny chewy pearls weird them out; some even call it “frog egg pudding.” While it still has loyal fans, younger folks often reach for yogurt or mochi instead.
Related Post: 15 Restaurant Ice Cream Orders That Are American Favorites
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Food can be comfort, adventure, or total confusion, depending on your generation. But every dish tells a story. And sometimes, the best conversations start over something neither side will eat. Whether it’s Jell-O salad or oat milk lattes, food brings out memories, opinions, and a little friendly chaos. And maybe that’s the beauty of it, tastes change, but the sharing never does.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
15 Food Companies That Only Locals Know Built Their State’s Identity
Ever visit another state and wonder why locals flip out over a certain snack, sauce, or ice cream? It is because every state has secret food treasures that never quite go national, but totally shape local pride.
Read it here:15 Food Companies That Only Locals Know Built Their State’s Identity
How to Save $100+ Every Month at the Grocery Store
From planning your meals to avoiding sneaky upcharges in the snack aisle, here’s a realistic guide to trimming your food budget without adding stress to your week.
Read it here: Things Moms Waste Money On (and Don’t Even Know It)
Is Walmart+ Still Worth It in 2025? The Truth After 3 Years
Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
You’ll love these related posts: