to consider a fussy diet as a big against for a potential new love

[glitternanny]

and I mean seriously restricted 2:

Proteins, one carbohydrate and the same lunch everyday.

[squoosh]

'It's all about being a minion of soulless orthodoxy.'

Or maybe, y'know, it's just about enjoying a nice meal.

[CiderBomb]

I don't see it as being nasty or rude when your fussiness impacts on other people, and a lot of the time it does.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

But why does everyone have to accept your definition of 'nice'?

I know plenty of people who wouldn't dream of trying tofu. Or seitan. Or tempeh. Or vegan cheese. Or almond milk. Or nutritional yeast flakes. They definitely don't know they don't like them, because they won't try them. But I don't call them childish or tell them to grow the hell up.

[CiderBomb]

Russian I think you are talking rubbish now quite honestly. Either that or your being sarcastic. If you eat a varied diet you in some way culturally impaired? How did you work that out? When I go abroad I will without exception try the local cuisine. I'm embarrassed by my fellow Brits who go to Spain and live on egg and chips and fry ups served up at the nearest English bar.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

No, someone not liking the same food as you does not impact on you in any way. I agree if people sit at a table with you going 'yuck' then that's just nutty. But so long as they aren't doing that, then seriously, it's you that has the issue, not them. Not everybody is going to like exactly the same things as you do. Get over it.

[Ilovemyrabbits]

Smoking impacts on other people. Getting pissed right up and causing a scene impacts on other people. Drinking tons of wine and crying in public impacts on other people. There are hundreds of things that people do that impact on other people and we accept it or make allowances for it. It certainly doesn't stop people having friends or lovers or half of the people on this board would be friendless. Society gets so judgey about people who are fussy with food. But you can be as fussy as you like about what you'll tolerate. Why is not liking food so different to not liking to read (something I really don't understand in other people, but would never exclude someone from my company for) or not wanting to drink or not liking rock music? Fussy eaters are the devils spawn apparently...I must remember to tell my 12 year old. I'm sure it'll have her popping pizza and eating risotto in no time!

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Cider you are the one who is talking rubbish, if you think eating out in a restaurant is something to fall out with people over. If eating in a restaurant is a big deal to you then you need to broaden your horizons.

It's just food. It's a means, not an end.

[specialsubject]

this level of fussiness indicates someone who is a) two years old b) has 'issues' c) has no life or d) is scientifically ignorant and doesn't know the importance of a varied diet.

unless there is a health reason for this (and I can't see one) this person will also be incredibly dull.

no ta.

[Ilovemyrabbits]

Wow...nice one specials. So someone with 'issues' will be incredibly dull! WOW! And fussy eaters can have varied diets. My daughter ticks every food group but has no interest in food so eats what she likes and nothing more. She has 'issues' with textures. She has lots of friends who, luckily, don't judge her for just one dimension of her personality.

This is just an internet forum and I can ignore the bigoted tosh that some people are spouting. The scary thing is, though, that some people think this way in real life. One day they, or their offspring, will be judging you or yours. Enjoy!

[MrsCakesPremonition]

I wouldn't choose to be in a relationship with a smoker, or with someone who drank too much and couldn't behave properly. Fussy eating isn't worse than other annoying behaviours, but it would be a turn off for me. Which is fine, because the fussy eater probably wouldn't want to be in a relationship with someone who rolled their eyes every time he ordered nuggets and chips again.

[nocarsgo]

Toddlers are just about allowed to be fussy. Fussy adults need to grow the fuck up.

It would drive me insane, I couldn't be with someone like that.

[Nancy66]

I agree with nocars.

And, yes, OP massive turn off. Sounds like the sort of bloke who'd go on holiday to Spain (same place every year of course) and order egg and chips rather than eat forrin food.

[AnyoneButLulu]

Somebody else's fussy eating habits don't normally impact on me, if they're just a mate, but they would in a partner. Cooking and trying out new recipes is a sociable creative hobby that DH and I can enjoy together without needing a babysitter. If he was living on cuppasoups then that would definitely impact what I could or would cook for myself. (And no we're not overweight)

A mate of mine is married to a man who is allergic to garlic and onions - AFAIK it's a legitimate allergy, which is fair enough, but it means that he is nauseated by the smell on other people, and hence she can never eat anything with them in either . A man would have to combine the best qualities of Hugh Jackman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Bill Gates before I thought that was a reasonable sacrifice.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Cooking and trying out new recipes is a sociable creative hobby

Only in a society which has fetishised food beyond all reason.

[AnyoneButLulu]

People have lots of hobbies. Some people watch cricket, some people dress creatively, some people watch birds, some people knit. None of these are evidence of fetishisation.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

If you can't see that food has become fetishised in this country over the last couple of decades then you need to step back and open your eyes.

Eating is a physical necessity. It is not and never should be a hobby.

[squoosh]

I do agree that food has become fetishised but it's more than a bit dictatorial to say that 'eating is not and never should be a hobby'.

[anonacfr]

The thing is fussy eaters do impact others when you end up having to cook separate meals, you spend your time abroad looking for suitable restaurants etc.
Re eating out- you don't have to be a 'foodie' to enjoy going to a nice restaurant to eat something that you wouldn't cook at home.

Medical issues, allergies, intolerances? Completely different. I know a few people with specific food medical issues (celiac, gluten free). I would never resent them and whenever we have meals I make sure everything I cook can be eaten by everyone.
But otherwise my patience gets stretched rather quickly.

Basically I would say 90% of people usually hate one or two things (spinach, certain meats etc)- but to the point where if they are invited out they can't eat it? Please...

[anonacfr]

FFS of course eating is a physical necessity.
However, you might as well eat gorgeous food while you're at it.

It's not a fetish, it's just common sense.

And by the way that doesn't have to mean expensive or foreign food. It can be nice seasonal fruit and veg.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

squoosh Well, apart from anything else, a hobby is discretional. And eating isn't. People place way too much importance on food. Way way too much. And then they try and impose their own issues on others. Many people perceived as fussy or restricted eaters just have a healthy, in proportion attitude towards food. It's fuel. That's all.

[AmberLeaf]

Agree with lots that Russians has said.

specialsubject what a incredibly small minded judgy opinion.

[anonacfr]

However this thread started because of a man who only eats breaded chicken and ham and potatoes.
Not healthy and limiting for him and his friends/family.

We are clearly discussing silly food fussiness as opposed to healthy/medically- necessary restricted diets.

And going on about 'food as fuel only' does feel like you're the one with issues.
We have a sense of smell and taste of a reason. Cooking and food habits have developed and evolved throughout the world for a reason. Shared meals have been a huge part of communities,of old-style hospitality and by extension diplomacy for centuries.

[AmberLeaf]

FTR I love eating all sorts of food and trying new things.

I enjoy food and glad to have a very open mind on things ive not eaten before.

I also have in my family and autistic child who has issues with food, a coeliac and someone with IBS/possible Crohns.

Can be hard work, but much harder for them and I know they would rater be able to eat everything.

Still great people though.

[AmberLeaf]

and = an

[claudedebussy]

wouldn't stand a chance with me!!

i love weird and wonderful food. food is a religion for me. breaded chicken??? GET OUT!