Healthy Living

Friday, November 27, 2009

Do you eat differently when men are not around?

Esteban is embarking on another week-long business trip, which always reminds me how he affects my eating habits. For instance, during a usual weeknight, we make dinner, usually comprised of some kind of chicken affair, paired with steamed veggies, and if Esteban is cooking, sometimes he'll make something potatoey.

When I'm alone for a week, I tend to make myself vegetarian meals, usually stir-fry with brown rice that I will then eat for the rest of the week, as well as at least one dinner that consists of a giant spinach salad and a bowl of cottage cheese. And sometimes, I'll find myself starving around 9:00 p.m., and I realize that in the absence of someone asking, "What do you want to do about dinner?" I have totally forgotten to eat. Esteban has mentioned that he does the same thing, only instead of spinach salads, he ends up withmacaroni & cheese or sometimes he eats canned ravioli (a guilty pleasure product for him, as I find that stuff disgusting) or goes out to a neighborhood pub known for its amazing Italian beef sandwiches.

Gain time and lose a pound or two with this easy week's worth of tasty, low-calorie meals.

I can understand the problems of deciding on what to make for dinner every night, and the desire not to have to make two totally separate meals, but do you switch off, having chili dogs and mac & cheese one night and maybe a delicious edamame salad and steamed salmon the next night? After all, women tend to eat healthier than men, so shouldn't we endeavor to be a positive influence for guys?

We've talked about girl food and boy food before, and Ree even has some of the recipes on her food blog classified by gender, but how much do you change your own eating habits if you dine with the opposite sex? For instance, if you go out with girlfriends, are you as likely to order a steak as you are if you go out with a guy? I do, but there's a weird moment of eyebrow raising when my friends hear what I'm ordering, as though I've just taken a step away from sisterhood. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't happen if I were eating foo foo. (Read up on how women talk about eating in public.)

Lay on me your tips for maintaining your dietary autonomy.

[photo credit: Getty Images]

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Comments 1-10 of 20
  • Jasmine's Avatar
    Posted by Jasmine Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:50am PST

    Yes I eat very different.... I eat whatever I want. In front of men, I eat like I am conscious of what's being placed in my mouth! LOL Go figure

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  • 80'sgirl's Avatar
    Posted by 80'sgirl Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:02am PST

    No thats silly.

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  • paperpush's Avatar
    Posted by paperpush Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:53am PST

    for me it has more to do with whether i am cooking for myself or for my bf and i. i like small amounts of light food heavily dominated by veggies and especially greens...he likes hearty food and lots of it. so if i'm alone i would be perfectly content with a salad for dinner, but when both of us are hungry, i generally go for more robust dishes. sometimes i miss the simplicity of just thinking about what i want for dinner, but then i remember that if i was just on my own, i'd hardly have a reason to make some of the fantastic things i've learned how to make for both of us.

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  • Jezabel's Avatar
    Posted by Jezabel Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:38am PST

    I cook full meals for my boyfriend and myself, but when he won't be home for dinner I will cook something smaller for myself, usually soup and salad.

    At dinner in a restaurant I have never ordered differently around either sex.

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  • Ember's Avatar
    Posted by Ember Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:44am PST

    For me, I eat what I want. I might not eat as MUCH of it, infront of a person I'm trying to impress, or someone of the other gender.. But, I eat what I want, and whatever gender I'm hnging out with, they don't seem to mind. :D

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  • MochaMama42's Avatar
    Posted by MochaMama42 Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:44am PST

    No, I eat the same type and amount of food, with or without men in my company.

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  • Ryane J's Avatar
    Posted by Ryane J Tue Dec 9, 2008 12:12pm PST

    I tend to not eat anything that could cause a big mess or has a higher likliehood of ending up on my face. For example, chili dogs, hamburgers,etc. I am the queen of chicken strips and anything that typically requires a knife and fork when in front of a guy. However, when they are not around, man..i tear it up! I LOVE chili dogs and don't mind getting messy when I eat, at least when i'm alone I don't mind. :)

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  • Me's Avatar
    Posted by Me Tue Dec 9, 2008 12:34pm PST

    I love cooking but not for myself, when I am alone. So when my love is away I have to force myself to eat well. Otherwise I just have a sandwich. Usually I eat left overs from the freezer or alternatively I buy some nice bread and have a salad with it.

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  • Chrystani's Avatar
    Posted by Chrystani Tue Dec 9, 2008 2:07pm PST

    Well when I'm with a guy I usually make a full meal. But by myself

    TOP RAMEN...

    But even if I gout out with a guy, I'm eating what I want. If Im going to be with him he should know what I look like eating.

    WILD! lol....

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Tue Dec 9, 2008 2:47pm PST

    No, I don't, where's the fun in that...they gotta know you for who you are, including eating. It's not like I'm gonna lick the plate, well...maybe LOL!

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Comments 1-10 of 20

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