60% of Women Don't Like Eating in Front of Their Partner

A new survey highlights some revealing statistics about the relationship between women and food.

60% of women in relationships do not feel comfortable eating in front of their partner50% of women in relationships get shy undressing in front of their partner40% of women feel as though they are constantly dieting13% of women choose low-calorie meals instead of what they would actually like when eating out

Can we really believe these numbers?

Although featured in Time and the Daily Mail, these numbers seem high. The survey was "carried out for Shapesmart" - according to nutritionist Mary Strugar. Shapesmart is a UK-based weight management program, and Strugar sits on the "Expert Advice Panel". The UKPA mentions that 5,000 people were surveyed - but nowhere can I discover if any of these people had a pre-existing relationship with the diet company.

Reader surveys can be notoriously biased - it's a bit like surveying readers of a gossip magazine if they are obsessed with celebrities -- you are probably going to get a different result to the rest of the population.

Regardless of accuracy - I have no doubt that many women have an unhealthy relationship with food. The reasons for not wanting to eat in front of a partner are unclear - is he critical? Does the woman feel under scrutiny for what she chooses to eat?

Are you comfortable eating in front of your partner?

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"Are you comfortable eating in front of your partner?"

Yes, very. And maybe too much so. I find that I eat substantially more when I am dining with him. I only see him a few times a week, so when we dine together, it feels almost celebratory.

On the other hand, I am rather restrictive with my diet for most of the week. And yes, I feel as if I am constantly dieting because I am - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.

Reply Spectra on 28 Dec 2010

I eat in front of my husband, but I don't really feel comfortable doing it. I never have--I think it makes me less sexy somehow or something. Obviously, I do eat in front of him or I'd starve, but I prefer it if he's already sleeping or gone when I'm eating.

Reply Jim F. on 28 Dec 2010

When can you first remember feeling uncomfortable eating in front of someone?

Reply Spectra on 28 Dec 2010

Back when I was in high school, I didn't mind it so much because I only had to eat in front of my family and my friends. I never dated anyone back then. When I started dating, I'd always eat very petite amounts in front of my dates so they would think that I wasn't a pig. I still don't mind eating in front of my family and other women too much, but somehow the idea of eating a lot in front of my husband makes me cringe a little bit.

Reply Jim F. on 29 Dec 2010

What are you afraid of?

Reply Sam on 28 Dec 2010

I don't mind eating in front of my spouse but I have a hard time eating in front of dinner guests and in public. Especially if I dont know them well.

Reply Berzerker on 28 Dec 2010

I had a boyfriend in junior high that would make fun of me if I ever ate a salad in front of him; he was always calling me "too thin", and I think he was hoping the constant nagging to eat more would help (It didn't).
I still hate eating in front of anyone, but I've been extremely shy and reserved my whole life. I'll usually blush if people ask me personal questions, I'll only look people in the eye because I feel I have to (personally, I feel it is invasive) and I really don't like people touching me either. Just who I am, so I guess I'm not a good example to use for the poll or whatever, because I know I'm not the norm. (Wait, than why did I type all that!)

Reply looo on 28 Dec 2010

The only time im uncomfortable is if im in a very formal dinner setting, where "proper etiquette" is expected.. its all too pretentious and snobbish for me.

Reply mariabrake on 28 Dec 2010

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Reply Lana on 29 Dec 2010

I have no problems whatsoever eating in front of people. Maybe it was the just the way I was raised.

Reply Susan on 29 Dec 2010

In general, no, I don't have any problems eating in front of people. However, I think I go the opposite when I'm with a certain group of friends. I tend to eat more and less healthy with these friends because after I lost a lot of weight (80 lbs so that I'm now about 115 lbs at 5'2"), they all thought I was too thin and I had lost too much. So I feel like I have to show them that I do eat and that I don't always eat the "good" foods. So I tend to use that time as one of my cheat days.

Reply emedoutlet on 29 Dec 2010

Hey... Undressing may be OK... But eating....! it really strange. Even I feel the numbers are very high.

Reply myskinnyfiles on 30 Dec 2010

My boyfriend and I set the table for every meal and eat together. I don't feel uncomfortable or shy regarding undressing. However, I do feel like I'm on a diet a good number of times. I don't choose low calorie meals, but I just choose smaller portion sizes. I never eat low fat or non-fat or sugar-free products.

Reply Todd Pliss on 30 Dec 2010

A shame that so many women feel that way. People need to chill out and just enjoy life. If a guy is critical of what a women eats and makes her so self-confident, then that guy needs to be dumped ASAP! It's especially sad that teen girls are put under so much pressure to be thin.

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