Husband is a very picky eater.

[frolicmum]

Hello, my husband is a very picky eater and would probably love a sandwich and oven food (chicken & chips etc) all week. It was the same when we met but we were 20, now 10 years later, I just want him to try more foods. I'm a veggie (been for years, this was already the case when we met).

I make a meal plan for every week which is on the fridge. If he doesn't eat what I cooked, I usually freeze it and DS can often have them unfrozen at some point for lunch and our yesterday's dinner for dinner next day. This is the meal plan for this week. I adjust and try to make things he likes as well:

Monday: chickpea masala (DH didn't eat this)
Tuesday: Veggie cottage pie (he just said, I won't eat that will I?)
Wednesday: take away (he can obvs order what he likes)
Thursday: creamy spinach and tomato pasta (he said he will eat this)
Friday: black bean Chili with rice (confirmed he won't eat this)
Saturday: bangers & mash (he will eat this)
Sunday: we always have a roast on Sunday and he eats most of it but only like carrots as veg.

Am i being unreasonable to be unhappy that he doesn't even try anything new?

He's a lovely man, father and husband, we are very happy but because I really enjoy cooking it's getting me down. Maybe it's because I'm hormonal because I'm pregnant 🤷🏼‍♀️

My DH is like this so I just let him crack on. His mum was driven to despair with his food refusal and took him to the doctor. I have seen him go 48 hours with no food if there wasn’t anything in his limited repertoire where we were. Not my issue if a friend man wants to eat the sand 4 meals and he just feeds himself.

This would drive me utterly insane. Even my Beige Food Appreciater child has broader tastes than that, and he’ll try stuff - properly try it - because he trusts that I won’t force him to eat stuff he genuinely doesn’t like.

I don’t know what you can do really. He’s older and set in his ways. Can you not devise weekly menus together? Adapting where needed?

I’m not sure why so many posters have said “Make him cook for himself” as though it’s some clever gotcha, when he’s said he’s more than happy to prepare his own food.

OP, I don't understand, if you as a family desided you are the one who cooks dinners(assuming you are happy with that arrangement) why on earth you insist on cooking things he doesn't like? I don't believe 30 yo man should be forced to eat what you would consider healthy.

TBH I'm surprised that some posters are happy to marry someone with such different attitude to food. It would be a deal breaker to me.

I'm not a restaurant or hotel so one meal gets made in the evening and we all eat it. We can all cook. At the moment it is just DH and me, and we both like pretty much the same things.

When vegetarian DD is home from university we eat mainly vegetarian food, which we are all happy with. DD will also cook, and is an excellent cook.

I think I would not have married a baby someone who is really fussy with food.

I have a picky eater DH which is rooted from childhood. Mum was a diverse cook, but when she became ill stepdad became abusive then left and kids had to fend on their own when mum went to prison. Food was something he could control.

However, he does encourage me to make anything and he will try it, if he doesn't eat he accepts hunger and might make a slice of toast later on. Leave your DH to it and don't make multiple meals to please him. Embrace your cooking and create whatever dishes you want.

But, I have found i can create some exciting dishes around his palate as he loves meat, fish, rice and potatoes. He eats a few veg but will try anything in front of the kids. We also find family style eating good as it doesn't draw much attention to DH if he is being a bit fussy of a new dish.

At least your husband will try things @Frokni. I have no patience with people who decide before they try anything that they won't like it.

I'm quite fussy with food and I know it frustrates my OH. I struggle with certain textures, not so much tastes. I will try new things though and I eat lots more than I used to!

It's usually me that cooks so of course I cook meals I'll like, but try to make things that can be varied a bit to include stuff I don't like too. So for example I'll blend vegetables in to a sauce, or make meals where salad or vegetables can be added for everyone else. I'm also happy to pick bits out eg I'll cook something with sliced peppers in but just won't eat the peppers.

@Ginfordinner that's true. The only thing out the question is melted cheese so there are some nights where DH has plain pasta as we are drowning our arteries in mac and cheese goodness