My fiancé is a chef, and a very good one at that. Everyone always tells me how lucky I am to be marrying a man the loves to cook, etc. and I do feel very lucky :).
However, there is a downside to living with a chef. My fiancé is not Rachel Ray or one of those great healthy chef’s, he is your fine dining, restaurant chef. Now don’t get me wrong, his food is AMAZING!!! I come home to dinner ready for me, almost every single night, garnish included. But here’s the problem…. My fiancé is 6’3” and can eat like no other, and not gain a pound (his metabolism still likes him :) and he thinks he can and should fill my plate with the same size helping, and if you don’t finish all of his food, he thinks you didn’t like it. Also, he doesn’t cook with his or my health in mind, he cooks to please, which means A LOT of butter, oil, heavy cream, etc. All those things that make food taste delicious, and go straight to your thighs. The first time I saw how much butter he used in his “to die for” mashed potatoes, I was shocked I literally hadn’t died yet.
We have been together for 5.5 years and I have gained about 50lbs in those 5 years. A true testament to just how good his food is, just NOT good for you. As I have been going through this journey to lose weight, he has tried to cut back and he really is very supportive. But he really struggles sticking to a recipe (apparently recipes are punishment for chef’s). Therefore, I find myself making my meal separately and I think it hurts his feelings a little bit, not to mention it takes a lot of time because he doesn’t share the kitchen well, so I’m usually still making mine while he is already done eating. We’ve also tried cooking a meal, I take my portion and then he adds to it before he takes his, but eventually that led to adding a little here and a little there and before you know it, we are right back to square 1.
I’m hoping we will eventually find that happy medium, where we can cook great food, together, and still eat healthy foods in the portion size that’s appropriate for each person. :) Fingers crossed.