ONEY HABITS,
POLITICAL OPINIONS
AND PARENTING STYLES
can cause conflicts
between partners.
But arguing over food truly has the
power to destroy a relationship.
When we first meet someone, food
preferences and habits may not seem
that important. But the F word can
become a focal point in a relationship,
mainly because eating is such an integral
part of life and something we do several
times a day. It’s great if you both feel the
same about food and mealtimes – you
love eating out or cooking, for example.
But it can cause major problems when
two people are food poles apart.
It’s not just a problem for new
relationships, either. While a couple may
be in food sync at the start of a love affair,
diet beliefs and eating habits may evolve,
leaving one partner heading off in a new
direction – going on a ‘health-food kick’
in response to a medical problem or
becoming vegetarian because they’re
worried about the planet, for example
- while the other stays firmly put.
So here’s my advice on how to tackle
some common conundrums and be
food lovers rather than fighters.
IFYOUWEREONYOUR
OWNyouwouldn’tbuyas
muchbreadorpasta,but
yourpartneris bigoncarbs
soyouendupeatingthem
too,ofteninbiggerportions.
FOODFIXFirst,there’sno
reasontoskipcarbs– health
expertsrecommendhalfour
caloriescomefromthem
(preferablystarchy,high-
fibre,wholegrainvarieties).
Formanywomen,though,
it’slikelytobe‘eatingthem
insimilarquantitiestohim’
that’stheissue,especially
forthosestrugglingwith
theirweight.Ratherthan
cuttingoutcarbs,cutdown
byreducingportionsizes.Or
haveonemealeachdaythat’s
lowerincarbs,suchaseggs
andtomatoesratherthan
cerealortoastforbreakfast,
soupora saladratherthan
a sandwichforlunch,or
cauliflowerriceorcourgetti
inplaceoftraditionalcarbs
forbothofyouatdinner.FOOD FEUD #1
You don’t buy
unhealthy snacks,
but they’re always
armed with ‘treats’Crisps, biscuits and
chocolate aren’t part
of your weekly shop
but your partner
regularly comes
home with them –
and when they’re in
the house, you can’t
resist tucking in.
FOOD FIX Ask your
partner to come
home with healthier
treats. Fresh grapes
or strawberries will
satisfy a sweet tooth
without the calories,
fat, sugar or salt. Pick
up healthy snacks
with your weekly
shop, too, such as
breadsticks with
reduced-fat hummus,
pistachio nuts,
roasted almonds or a
little plain chocolate.
Studies show that
seeing chocolates
and sweets means
we’re more likely to
eat them, so if your
partner insists on
having them, keep
them out of sight.FOOD FEUD #2
You’re
trying to
limit carbs
and they
love bread
Psychology
MAY 2019 HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE 39