Mouthing OffShe’s a vegan, he’s a junk food fanatic. Couples with different diets or eating habits – can they survive?

Couples fight for a lot of reasons. Statistically, the three biggest relationship issues are sex, money and kids. I would argue food is right up there too.

It has been said that to eat with someone is as intimate an act as having sex with them. I said to eat WITH someone. I highly doubt any couple beyond the initial stages of attraction can keep up with three times a day in lust. But it’s not uncommon to be with your partner for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Over time, there are bound to be annoying habits and personal tics in the kitchen or at the dining table that grate on the other person. It’s human nature. The struggle is to not let dirty dishes left in the sink or used tea bags on the counter ruin an otherwise happy home.

Last week, a newlywed acquaintance of mine complained to me that she’s gained 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) since marrying last year. Her husband is a typical bloke who doesn’t like vegetables and salads. To appease him, she’s cooking a lot more carb and meat dishes than she otherwise would. When it’s his turn to make dinner, it’s all lasagne, meat loaf and steak.

There’s another aspect that’s worrying her. “He won’t drink water with meals. I made Chinese soup but he doesn’t like that so he just drinks beer and wine all the time.” The result is she ends up drinking more alcohol as well with her food. Her concerns are not only related to her weight, but her husband’s long-term health, too.

Some relationships don’t even get as far as the dining room because of each partner’s dietary customs. One serious foodie friend started dating someone Jewish and she let it be known that if he could not deal with her eating or cooking pork, that would be a deal-breaker. Happily, he loved her more than the Torah.