The Identical Macros: Alison Knowles’ 1971 Journal of the Identical Lunch (Nova Broadcast Press)—”a tunafish sandwich on wheat toast with lettuce and butter, no mayo and a large glass of buttermilk or a cup of soup”—was eaten for all three meals—breakfast and lunch and dinner—three days of each week “at the same place and at about the same time.”

BREAKFAST

Toast: Nature’s Own Honey Wheat

Tuna: Bumble Bee White Albacore (can)

Soup: Campbell’s Chicken Noodle (Star Wars ed.) in Pyrex

Plate: Ceramic (round)

Napkin: White (rectangle)

LUNCH

Toast: Nature’s Own Honey Wheat (sliced)

Tuna: Starkist Yellowfin (pouch)

Buttermilk: Giant Brand in Shakeology (BPA-free)

Plate: Ceramic (square)

Napkin: White (rectangle)

DINNER

Toast: Nature’s Own Honey Wheat

Tuna: Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light (can)

Soup: Giant Brand Cream of Broccoli in Take-Away

Plate: Ceramic (round)

Napkin: White (square)

“What’s there to write about, it’s just a lousy tunafish sandwich.”

—Gertrude Brandwein (Philip Corner’s Aunt Gertie from Parkchester)