As strange as it sounds, food is a vital part of any relationship. Think about it: most first dates take place over a meal, drinks, or coffee, as do subsequent outings — not to mention important milestones like anniversaries and celebrations. In fact, you can tell a lot about a person by what they order and how they eat. Sometimes, said eating habits are enough to make us reconsider whether or not another date is even worth it.
We asked R29 staffers to share a few of their food-focused relationship deal-breakers. And we weren't totally shocked to find that there were quite a few. Whether we can't stand picky eaters or its people who talk with their mouths' full that makes our blood boil, click through to read the food-related pet peeves we just can't let go.
This article was originally published on August 31, 2016.
"The number one food-related relationship deal-breaker: he doesn't like chocolate. If a guy doesn't like chocolate, the relationship is doomed from the start.
"I once dated a guy who didn't like chocolate — and let's just say he turned out to be a creeper. My dad always said, 'Never trust someone who doesn't like chocolate.' He was right."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"Any grown man who uses the word 'yummy.' I once broke up with a guy because he used that word (well, there were other factors, but that sort of broke the camel's back)."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"Honestly, I have the I-can't-handle-loud-chewing-or-gum-smacking disease. My blood literally boils inside of my skin. It's so bad that my boyfriend knows to close his mouth with a single death-look when he takes that first bite."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"Scraping their teeth against a fork when they eat makes MY teeth ache. I'm shuddering even thinking about it!"
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"I actually find it unattractive if a guy doesn't like vegetables. Aside from the generalization that they're probably a 'picky eater,' I feel like it's a telltale sign that their health later on in life is going to be poor. I mean, how healthy can someone be if they're missing out on so many vital micronutrients?! Steak and potatoes isn't going to cut it, gents! I once when on a date with a guy who's favorite 'vegetable' was French fries. There was not a second date (for other reasons, too)!"
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"After spending the night at my place, a guy I had met at a friend's party was asking me about my favorite food so he could take me to dinner soon. (Promising!) I told him I loved burgers, then followed up by asking him his favorite restaurant in New York City. You know, one of the culinary capitals of the world. He responded by telling me it was a ramen place in his neighborhood...but he couldn't remember the name. WTF kind of answer is that? Needless to say, we never did get those burgers."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"I was on an admittedly already-awkward first date when our drinks arrived. I'd ordered a beer, the guy had ordered a sangria. He was upset to see that his sangria came with ice in it. OF COURSE IT DID, IT'S AN ICED DRINK! He said that he wouldn't complain because he hadn't specified that to the waiter, but...really?!"
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"I once dated a boy in college who, let's just say, was not a foodie and did not come from a food-centered family. But I still stuck it out for nearly three years anyways and tried to teach him a thing or two. One weekend, when he was driving me back to school after spring break, he made plans to take me to a nearby LongHorn Steakhouse the next time he came to visit — I ended it as soon as I got out of the car."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"I absolutely hate it when my S.O. will tell me they're not hungry and then pick food off of my plate once I eat it! I broke up with a cheap-ass punk in college for that very reason. We would go to Chipotle, I'd order a burrito, he'd say he didn't want anything to eat — and then he'd take a HUGE bite out of my burrito when I wasn't looking. Get your own, jerk!"
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"There's nothing more disappointing than finding out that a potential match doesn't know how to treat people in the service industry. I almost didn't date my now-BF when I thought he was a lousy tipper — turns out he just sucks at math, which I can deal with."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"Complete turn off if they are a picky eater or eat from the kids menu. There are exceptions to every rule, I love drunk chicken fingers as much as the next gal, but if you refuse to try things and order cheese pizza everywhere we go...SMH."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
"So me and my ex dated pretty seriously for almost three years. However, his eating habits, pickiness, and 'allergies' became a huge problem for me. I write allergies in quotations, because he himself didn't know which nuts he was allergic to and his allergies changed all the time.
"Being the adventurous foodie that I am, I couldn't stand being hindered by his passivity and caution to all foods. He ordered a burger, EVERY TIME, EVERYWHERE. He would also refuse to eat the said burger if it came on a sesame bun. I would've been okay with that if he wasn't able to eat foods with sesame oil in it...all in all, his pickiness and 'nut' allergy (amongst other things, of course) ended our relationship."
Illustrated by Mallory Heyer.
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