Think my new friend is in an abusive relationship

[Puddlejuice]

I've made a new friend, our dc are friends and for the last few weeks we've been meeting in her garden for the dc to do hang out.

She's not the usual kind of person I'd gravitate to, but I like her.

The trouble is her husband, whilst perfectly nice to me he seems really controlling.

She's just had a baby so is carrying a bit of weight understandably, and he seems to be controlling over what she eats. He offered everyone an ice cream except her. She ate a few bits of the dc left over lunch (don't we all) and he asked what she was eating, she tried to hide the food in her mouth and said "nothing".

I know it's only a snapshot of her life, but it felt wrong.

How should I (if at all) talk to her about it?

My view is that if you do nothing you're complicit in the abuse, but I don't want to spoil our budding friendship either.

I think for now you just need to become a good friend to her.
When she feels more comfortable with you she may open up a bit.
For now though, if her husband doesn't offer her something and you are there I would say something 'Hey what about Jane? She may like one too' PA head tilt and big smile!
She may have asked him to help her lose weight, you just don't know the full picture at the moment.
From this snap shot he doesn't sound nice but wait it out and just be a good friend right now.

Stay friends with her. Don't let him cut you off. Does she go on MN. That might help her see it's controlling.

I'm glad I posted, I never even considered that she may have asked him to police her food. Didn't feel like that though, but I'll keep it in mind.

Just stay friends with her. Sounds like she might be in need of a good friend at the moment.

Hard to say. Like you said, could be just that he asked him to help keep in check as she wants to lose weight, and she is being childish about it. Be her friend and keep an eye open I guess.