Food envy

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Posted at 2:05PM, 16 September 2009 by Lily Barclay - Editorial assistant, bbcgoodfood.com

If you're unlucky enough to suffer from food envy, you will know just how crippling the condition can be. Nothing kills the atmosphere of an enjoyable evening like being out-ordered by a friend or partner - particularly if you're with someone who can't help but be a little smug at their own superior ordering skills.

There is little you can do but try to stop your fork from visibly shaking

The worst offenders have been known to narrate the various merits of their meal, whilst letting out a long 'Mmmm' between mouthfuls. There is little you can do but try to stop your fork from visibly shaking.

It's for this reason that reading the menu in a restaurant is not something I take lightly - in fact I approach it with more concentration than a multiple choice exam. When I have narrowed it down to two or three options, I need to know what my partner is ordering, what they think I should order and after ignoring their advice I require multiple reassurance that I've made the right decision.

But all this careful planning can easily be ruined by my dinner partner committing the ultimate restaurant sin - changing their order at the last minute with no prior warning. This is particularly painful if you've been tricked into a healthier choice than you'd ideally like by your friend claiming to want the 'superfood salad'.

On the odd occasion I have managed to convince myself into the healthiest option with no outside interference the punishment has been harsh. Watching my boyfriend tuck into tender glazed pork belly, sizzling steaks and fat yellow chips, and that's without mentioning his pudding.

However, there is a way to cure food envy and this is where food sharing comes in. After all everyone knows that food from other people's plates is calorie-free and tastes twice as good - and if it means you can all try as much food as possible, how can it not be a good idea?

Do you or a friend suffer from food envy? Or do you have any tips for combating it?

Comments

gen84

16 September, 2:51PM
gen84

At last, someone who understands! I suffer awfully with food envy (I've not resorted to counseling yet but I fear it's only a matter of time...) The trouble I have is that my boyfriend refuses to share food ala Joey from 'Friends' AND refuses to ever order the same thing as I do (in other company I often resort to this in order to eradicate the possibility of another crippling bout of food envy) so I'm left constantly second-guessing my menu choices. On the odd occasion I out-order him he conveniently forgets his 'no sharing' policy and digs in...funny that...

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sioden

16 September, 2:53PM
sioden

I often suffer from food envy, but the best way to combat it is to know who you're eating with. Most of my friends and family are MORE than happy to share - everyone gets a little taste if they want. That way - you've eaten less of your dish if you're disappointed and more of everybody else's! I always TRY and go with my first instinct because that's obviously what I really want, even if I try and change my belly's mind. If I do change my mind that's when I'll be disappointed - stick to your guns!

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Stavros

16 September, 5:49PM
Stavros

I'm not one to suffer from food envy, however, I do often dine with one who is a sufferer. The biggest tip I can offer is to remove all menus once the ordering is done! There is nothing worse than having a dining partner who will continue to pore over the menu only to want to change their order when it is too late! Go with your first instincts and hope you dine with someone who loves to share! Stavros out.

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Farmersgirl

17 September, 1:38PM
Farmersgirl

I'm a pretty decisive person and generally not prone to food envy, but oh boy is it annoying when others dither over the menu and ask everyone else what they are having, then say they wish they'd had what you are having. I don't mind sharing, in fact I often do, but usually you can return to the restaurant another time and have whatever looked so good!

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Aedara

17 September, 4:39PM
Aedara

I have very specific food envy, everything on my boyfriends plate or take-away bag or basically any food that he possesses tends to become instantly irresistible. Thankfully he's always aware of this fact and will generally offer me some before I've even asked, actually thats sometimes the problem particularly if he's eating after I've had dinner and I try to be restrained. he's pretty much used to the fact that any chocolate brought into the house will get eaten by me. I bought him a Â£20 easter egg and ate over half of it myself. But its all ok because he doesn't mind, he always says if it makes me happy its not a problem. On the other hand I'm very possessive of my own food so I think possibly I'm just a food control freak.

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Elaine

17 September, 8:13PM
Elaine

Agree that the best remedy for this problem is to dine with people who are prepared to share - or even swap. On occasions, my very generous partner has been quick to spot the look of disappointment on my face when certain plates have arrived and swiftly switched his meal for mine! Some of the meals I enjoy best are Indian, Thai or Chinese, when lots of main courses arrive in dishes and you can help yourself to a little bit of each.

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kittendothroar

19 September, 9:09AM
kittendothroar

I normally order quite well but I can recall a shopping trip with a girlfriend recently where I suffered major food envy - we ordered panini's and somehow I misread mine did not have cheese in (how!) and hers came out all gooey-licious and mine was just, well, nice. Not gooey. :(

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Verity

22 September, 3:08PM
Verity

My boyfriend is much more adventurous with his food ordering than me, however he is extremely generous and often lets me try his food, which means that I have extended my limited food consumption! I sometimes get food envy for the food which I'm not allowed on the diet that I follow though, this is impossible to do anything about!

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Kerry

24 September, 9:34AM
Kerry

It drives my partner crazy that whatever I seem to order looks or tastes better than his meal. So much so that he now almost always orders the same as me because he reckons I make the best choices!

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foodforfriendsyeah

21 October, 2:33PM
foodforfriendsyeah

I'm a long term sufferer of food envy and am very please to find others with this condition. I've done a lot of research into it and have been able to put together a short guide which some of you may find useful. You can find it here, and I'd love to know if it helps anyone - http://www.foodforfriendsyeah.co.uk/2009/10/20/living-with-food-envy/

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