Recently, a TikTok video by @caseyandkaci went viral, showcasing a heartfelt moment between a husband and wife.
In the clip, the wife introduced her husband to her own version of a “struggle meal” that many can relate to: a Fried Egg and Spam Sandwich.
The husband even joked, “I thought you meant it was gonna be a struggle to eat it.”
@caseyandkaci Replying to @user2579864257 She was so excited to make me try a food she grew up on! 😂 #marriage #couple #postpartum #foodreview #vacation ♬ original sound – CASEY AND KACI
She then explained that a struggle meal is “food you grew up on if you didn’t have a lot of money” or “this is what you ate when you were struggling.”
It’s not about fancy ingredients or gourmet prep—it’s about getting by with what you have.
“All you do is fry an egg and fry some spam, put it together, and that’s your meal,” Kaci explained, adding that what once was a meal born out of necessity has become a source of comfort. “When I’m sad, I just have a struggle meal and then I’m not sad anymore.”
After some playful back and forth, Casey takes a bite and admits, “It’s fine… it’s good. It’ll work.”
It may not have washed all his worries away, but it’s clear that for Kaci, the dish is more than just food—it’s a reminder of resilience and comfort.
The comments section exploded with viewers sharing their own struggle meals, creating a beautiful sense of community.
One user, Seara, said, “Spam is expensive! It was just fried egg, cheese & mayo for us! Lol 😂.”
Another commenter, Charlie, reminisced, “Ketchup on elbow noodles,” while JAB&KAB added, “I was poor poor. We couldn’t afford spam. We had fried bologna and egg.”
HaleeB brought some humor with their struggle meal memory: “Struggle meal? Mine was bread with ketchup… 😂😂”
It’s obvious that these meals are about more than just eating.
Sometimes, the most meaningful meals are those that take us back, filled with love, laughter, and just a hint of bittersweet memories.
What about you? What’s your go-to struggle meal that brings back those feels?